US20100158559A1 - Color electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Color electrophotographic image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100158559A1 US20100158559A1 US12/370,298 US37029809A US2010158559A1 US 20100158559 A1 US20100158559 A1 US 20100158559A1 US 37029809 A US37029809 A US 37029809A US 2010158559 A1 US2010158559 A1 US 2010158559A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cartridge
- pullout
- cartridges
- main body
- supporting member
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
- G03G21/1839—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body
- G03G21/1842—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks
- G03G21/1853—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/01—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes for producing multicoloured copies
- G03G2215/0103—Plural electrographic recording members
- G03G2215/0119—Linear arrangement adjacent plural transfer points
- G03G2215/0138—Linear arrangement adjacent plural transfer points primary transfer to a recording medium carried by a transport belt
- G03G2215/0141—Linear arrangement adjacent plural transfer points primary transfer to a recording medium carried by a transport belt the linear arrangement being horizontal
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
- G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
- G03G2221/1678—Frame structures
- G03G2221/1684—Frame structures using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, in which a plurality of cartridges are detachably mounted to an apparatus main body to form an image on a recording medium.
- the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms a color image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming process.
- examples of the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus include, for example, a color electrophotographic copying machine, a color electrophotographic printer (for example, such as a color laser beam printer and a color LED printer), a color facsimile machine, and a color word processor.
- the recording medium is one on which an image is to be formed by the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and paper, an OHP sheet, and the like are included therein, for instance.
- a cartridge is, for example, a process cartridge or a developing cartridge, and contributes, in a state being detachably mounted to a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, to an image forming process for forming the image on the recording medium.
- a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means each serving as a process means and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated into a cartridge, which is detachably mountable to the main body. Therefore, a process cartridge into which the developing means serving as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated, may be detachably mountable to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
- a process cartridge into which the charging means, the developing means, or the cleaning means each serving as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated may be detachably mountable to the main body.
- the process cartridge, which integrally includes the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing means is referred to as a so-called integral type.
- the process cartridge, which integrally includes the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means other than the developing means is referred to as a so-called separation type. That is, the developing means is provided in a developing unit, which is separated from the process cartridge, and the image formation is performed through a pair of the developing unit and the process cartridge.
- the process cartridge is referred to as the so-called separation type.
- the process cartridge can detachably mounted to the main body by a user in person. Accordingly, the user can easily perform maintenance of the apparatus main body.
- the process means acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.
- the developing cartridge includes a developing roller, contains a developer (toner) used to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum by the developing roller, and is detachably mountable to the main body.
- the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is mounted to the apparatus main body or a cartridge supporting member described below.
- the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is provided in the so-called separation type process cartridge (in this case, the process cartridge has no developing means).
- the developing cartridge is also detachably mountable to the main body by the user in person. For that reason, the maintenance of the apparatus main body may easily be performed.
- the so-called integral type or the so-called separation type process cartridge may be used as the cartridge.
- the so-called separation type process cartridge and the developing cartridge may be used as a pair.
- the above-mentioned cartridge includes a developer cartridge containing a developer (toner) to be supplied to the process cartridge or the developing cartridge.
- the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which forms a color image on the recording medium using the electrophotographic image forming process.
- the electrophotographic image forming apparatus there is known the above-mentioned process cartridge system.
- a developing cartridge system which is constructed only by the above-mentioned developing unit as a separate member from the photosensitive drum.
- the above-mentioned developer cartridge system containing the developer.
- the above-mentioned process cartridge system, developing cartridge system, and developer cartridge system are all inclusively referred to as the cartridge systems.
- the above-mentioned process cartridge and developing cartridge each includes a developer containing portion for containing the developer (toner) used to develop the electrostatic latent image.
- a pullout drawer for supporting a plurality of cartridges. Then, the pullout drawer is pulled out from an inside of the main body to a predetermined position, thereby allowing the replacement of each of the cartridges.
- the present invention further evolves the above-mentioned conventional structure.
- a typical structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention for attaining the above-mentioned objects is characterized by a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges are detachably mounted to an apparatus main body to form an image on a recording medium, the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising a cartridge supporting member detachably supporting the plurality of cartridges and movable between an inside position in which the cartridge supporting member is inside the apparatus main body and a pullout position in which the cartridge supporting member is pulled out from the inside position to an outside of the apparatus main body, wherein the plurality of cartridges are arranged side-by-side and supported on the cartridge supporting member so that a longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of cartridges orthogonal to a pullout direction in which the cartridge supporting member moves from the inside position to the pullout position, and a cartridge, which is heaviest among the plurality of cartridges, is supported most upstream of the pullout direction.
- the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus which enhances the operability for mounting and detaching the cartridge from the apparatus main body.
- the present invention it is possible to provide the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which, when the cartridge supporting member supporting the plurality of cartridges is pulled out from the apparatus main body, the tilting of the supporting member itself due to the weight of the cartridges is hard to cause.
- the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of reducing the degree of rigidity enhancement for enhancing the rigidity of the apparatus main body in order to prevent the supporting member in the pulled out state from tilting down due to the gravitational force when the supporting member is pulled out from the apparatus main body.
- FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of the image forming apparatus.
- FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus in a door opening state.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of the image forming apparatus in the door opening state.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of the image forming apparatus in a state in which a pullout member is pulled out to a pullout position.
- FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus in a state in which the pullout member is pulled out to the pullout position.
- FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating a replacement procedure of the cartridges
- FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a pullout member mounting portion in an apparatus main body.
- FIGS. 10A and 11B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a structure of the pullout member.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic enlarged lateral sectional view of a black cartridge.
- FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of the black cartridge viewed from a drive side.
- FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of the black cartridge viewed from a non-drive side.
- FIG. 14 is a diagram for illustrating a state in which a cartridge P is mounted to the pullout member, and is a perspective view of the non-drive side viewed obliquely from above.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the drive side viewed obliquely from the above, for illustrating the state of FIG. 14
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the drive side viewed obliquely from the above, for illustrating a state in which the mounting of all the cartridges to the pullout member is completed.
- FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional right side view of the pullout member in the state of FIG. 16 .
- FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a moment acting so that the pullout member pulled out to the pullout position is tilted.
- FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an image forming apparatus) 100 according to this embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of the image forming apparatus 100
- FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2
- the image forming apparatus 100 is a four-full-color laser beam printer using an electrophotographic process. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 conducts a full color image formation with respect to a recording medium S on the basis of an electrical image signal, which is input from a host apparatus (not shown) such as a personal computer, an image reader, a facsimile on the other side, and the like to a control circuit portion 200 .
- a host apparatus not shown
- a forward side or a front side refers to a side on which a door 10 for opening and closing the apparatus is arranged.
- a rear side refers to an opposite side thereto.
- a front-rear direction refers to a direction from the rear side toward the front side of the image forming apparatus (front direction), and an opposite direction thereto (rear direction).
- a left and right refers to a left or a right when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front side.
- a lateral direction refers to a direction from right toward left (left-hand direction) and an opposite direction thereto (right-hand direction).
- an apparatus main body 100 A refers to an image forming apparatus portion excluding the cartridges.
- the image forming apparatus 100 described in this embodiment is a so-called lateral tandem type, in which four process cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, and Pc) for forming developer images (toner images) of respective black (k), yellow (y), magenta (m), and cyan (c) colors, are arranged in a lateral direction.
- the plurality of cartridges P are detachably mounted to the apparatus main body 100 A to form a color image on a recording medium S.
- a first to fourth four process cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, and Pc) are arranged side-by-side substantially horizontally in order from a rear side to a front side.
- Each of the process cartridges (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge) P includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 1 (hereinafter referred to as a drum) on which an electrostatic latent image is formed.
- the drum 1 is rotatingly driven in clockwise as indicated by an arrow.
- a charging means 2 At the periphery of the drum 1 , a charging means 2 , a developing means 4 ( 4 k , 4 y , 4 m , and 4 c ), and a drum cleaning means 6 as process means acting on the drum are arranged in order of mention along a rotation direction of the drum 1 .
- the drum 1 is obtained by coating, for example, an organic photoconductive layer (OPC photoconductor) onto an outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder.
- OPC photoconductor organic photoconductive layer
- the charging means (process means) 2 employs a contact charging system, in which a charging roller (conductive roller formed into a roller shape) is used as a charging member.
- the charging roller 2 is arranged substantially in parallel to and abutting the drum 1 , and is rotated in association with the rotation of the drum 1 . Then, the surface of the drum 1 is uniformly charged with a predetermined polarity and electric potential through an application of a predetermined charging bias voltage to the charging roller 2 from a power supply section (not shown).
- the developing means (process means) 4 is a developing unit, which develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 1 by using a developer (toner).
- the developing units 4 ( 4 k , 4 y , 4 m , and 4 c ) of the respective cartridges P each includes a developer containing portion 41 ( 41 k , 41 y , 41 m , 41 c ) containing a developer T (Tk, Ty, Tm, Tc) and a developing roller 40 as a developing member with respect to the drum 1 .
- each developing unit 4 includes a developer supply roller 43 as a developer applying member with respect to the developing roller 40 and a developing blade as a developer restricting member which is brought into pressure contact with an outer periphery of the developing roller 40 .
- the drum cleaning means (process means) 6 is a cleaning member, which removes a transfer residual developer from a surface of the drum 1 after the transfer of the developer image formed on a peripheral surface of the drum 1 to a sheet of the recording medium S.
- a cleaning blade is used as the cleaning member. The developer removed from the drum surface is received in a removed developer container portion 30 .
- Each of the cartridges P is constructed by combining a photosensitive unit 8 including the drum 1 , the charging roller 2 , and a drum cleaning means 6 with the developing units 4 ( 4 k , 4 y , 4 m , and 4 c ). Then, the respective cartridges P are detachably replaceable with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A with a pullout system. Further detailed structure of the cartridges P and the pullout system are described later.
- a first cartridge Pk has a structure in which a developer Tk of black color (k-color) is contained in the developer containing portion 41 k of the developing unit 4 k , and a developer image of black color is formed on a surface of the drum 1 .
- a second cartridge Py has a structure in which a developer Ty of yellow color (y-color) is contained in the developer containing portion 41 y of the developing unit 4 y , and a developer image of yellow color is formed on the drum 1 .
- a third cartridge Pm has a structure in which a developer Tm of magenta color (m-color) is contained in the developer containing portion 41 m of the developing unit 4 m , and a developer image of magenta color is formed on the drum 1 .
- a fourth cartridge Pc has a structure in which the developer Tc of cyan color (c-color) is contained in the developer containing portion 41 c of the developing unit 4 c , and a developer image of cyan color is formed on the drum 1 .
- a laser scanner unit 3 As an image exposing means is arranged on an upper side of the cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) mounted inside of the apparatus main body 100 A.
- a laser scanner unit 3 As an image exposing means is arranged on an upper side of the cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) mounted inside of the apparatus main body 100 A.
- an electrostatic transfer belt unit 5 as a transfer means is arranged on the lower side thereof.
- the laser scanner unit 3 includes a laser diode, a polygon mirror, an FE lens, a reflection mirror, and the like, and outputs a laser beam L which has been modulated in correspondence with image information of each color, which is input from a host apparatus to a control circuit portion 200 , to thereby scan and expose the charged surface of the drum 1 . With this operation, an electrostatic latent image, which corresponds to a scanning and exposing pattern is formed on the surface of the drum 1 .
- the belt unit 5 includes an endless electrostatic transfer belt (hereinafter referred to as a belt) 11 , which is formed of a dielectric body and having a flexibility. Further, the belt unit 5 includes a first roller 11 a of the rear side and a second roller 11 b of the front side, around which the belt 11 is wrapped and stretched. In addition, the belt unit 5 includes four transfer rollers 12 , which are arranged inside the belt 11 and between the first roller 11 a and the second roller 11 b , and are brought into pressure contact with the drums 1 of the respective cartridges P, while sandwiching the belt 11 therebetween. In the respective cartridges P, a contact portion between the drum 1 and the belt 11 constitutes a transfer nip portion.
- a contact portion between the drum 1 and the belt 11 constitutes a transfer nip portion.
- the belt 11 rotates in a counterclockwise direction (a direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 ) as a speed corresponding to a rotation speed of the drum 1 .
- a belt cleaning means 7 On the lower surface side of the belt 11 , there is provided a belt cleaning means 7 .
- Operation for forming a full-color image is as follows.
- the cartridges P are sequentially driven at predetermined control timing. Specifically, the respective drums 1 are rotatingly driven in a clockwise direction (a direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 ).
- the belt 11 of the belt unit 5 is also rotatingly driven.
- the laser scanner unit 3 is also driven.
- the charging roller 2 uniformly charges the surface of the drum 1 to a predetermined polarity and predetermined potential.
- the scanner unit 3 carries out a laser beam scanning exposure on the surfaces of the respective drums 1 in accordance with corresponding image signals.
- electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the respective drums 1 in accordance with the corresponding image signals.
- the formed electrostatic latent images are developed by the developing units 4 ( 4 k , 4 y , 4 m , and 4 c ) (the development rollers 40 ). That is, developer images are formed.
- a developer image of k-color corresponding to a black component image of a full-color image is formed on the drum 1 of the cartridge Pk.
- a developer image of y-color corresponding to a yellow component image of a full-color image is formed on the drum 1 of the cartridge Pm.
- a developer image of magenta color corresponding to a magenta component image of a full-color image is formed on the drum 1 of the cartridge Pc.
- a feeding roller 18 of a feeding portion 16 is driven at predetermined control timing, and one sheet of recording medium S is separated and fed from a feeding cassette 17 in which the recording mediums S are contained.
- the feeding cassette 17 may be freely put in and taken out from the front side of the apparatus main body 100 A (front loading).
- Reference symbol 17 a denotes a handle portion provided to a front surface of the feeding cassette 17 .
- the fed recording medium S is supplied onto the belt 11 of the belt unit 5 from the front side at predetermined control timing by a registration roller pair 19 .
- the recording medium S fed onto the belt 11 is electrostatically attracted to the belt 11 .
- the recording medium S is sequentially fed to respective transfer nip portions of the cartridge PC, the cartridge Pm, the cartridge Py, and the cartridge Pk.
- a transfer bias from a power supply (not shown), which is a reverse polarity with respect to a charging polarity of the developer (charging polarity of toner), and has a predetermined potential.
- a power supply not shown
- four-color developer images of c-color+m-color+y-color+k-color are superposed and transferred on the recording medium S.
- an unfixed full-color developer image is formed on the recording medium S.
- the fixing portion 20 fixes the developer image of a plurality of colors transferred onto the recording medium S.
- the fixing portion 20 includes a heating roller 20 a that rotates and a pressure roller 20 b which is brought into pressure contact with the heating roller 20 a to apply heat and pressure to the recording medium S.
- the recording medium S, on which the developer image is formed, is nipped and conveyed by the fixing roller pair 20 a , 20 b when passing through the fixing portion 20 . Then, heat and pressure are applied to the recording medium S by the fixing roller pair 20 a , 20 b . With this operation, the developer image of the plurality of colors is fixed onto the surface of the recording medium S.
- the recording medium S exits from the fixing portion 20 , and is delivered from a delivery portion 24 , through a conveying path including a delivery roller pair 23 , to a delivery tray 25 outside the apparatus main body, as a full-color image formation product.
- Replacements of the respective cartridges P may be performed by a user when the developer is consumed and reached its life end.
- the replacement of the cartridge is allowed to perform by front access by mounting the cartridges onto the pullout member 13 as the cartridge supporting member which being a pullout frame member.
- the attachment and detachment of the cartridges P are performed with respect to the pullout member 13 which is in a pullout state outside the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the pullout member 13 supporting the cartridges P is pushed into the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the cartridges P may be mounted to predetermined positions within the apparatus main body 100 A.
- enhancement of the mounting and detaching operability of the cartridges P with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A may be attained.
- a front opening portion (first opening portion) 100 a is provided in the front side of the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the opening portion 100 a is an opening portion through which the cartridges are pushed into the inside of the apparatus main body 100 A, or, when the cartridge is pulled out from the apparatus main body 100 A, the pullout member (cartridge supporting member) 13 supporting the cartridge passes.
- the pullout member 13 is made of a metal.
- an upper opening portion (a second opening portion) 100 b is provided on the front upper portion of the apparatus main body 100 A with the upper opening portion continuing the front opening portion 100 a .
- a rotatable door 10 is arranged on the front side of the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the door 10 is an opening and closing member capable of assuming a closing position for closing the opening portion 100 a and of assuming an open position for opening the opening portion 100 a .
- the door (opening and closing member) 10 is rotatable for opening and closing with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A about a hinge portion 10 b positioned at a lower side of the door. Specifically, the door 10 rotates about the hinge portion 10 b as a center so as to be raised, whereby the opening portion 100 a is closed as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . Further, the door 10 rotates about the hinge portion 10 b as the center so as to be tilted down toward the front of the apparatus main body 100 A, whereby the opening portion 100 a is open as illustrated in FIG.
- Reference symbol 10 a denotes a finger engageable portion formed in the front of the door 10 .
- the top of the door 10 is folded inwardly at a substantially right angle as a top door portion 10 c with respect to the opening portion 10 b . If the door 10 moves to the closing position with respect to the opening portion 100 a , the top door portion 10 c also assumes a closing position with respect to the opening portion 10 b , whereby the opening portion 100 b is closed by the top door portion 10 c . Besides, if the door 10 moves to the opening position for opening the opening portion 10 a , the top door portion 10 c also moves to the opening position for opening the opening portion 10 b . With this operation, the opening portion 100 b is opened.
- the pullout member (cartridge supporting member) 13 moves, while detachably supporting the plurality of cartridges P, between an inside position A positioned inside the apparatus main body 100 A and a pullout position B pulled out to the outside of the apparatus main body 100 A from the inside position A.
- the pullout member 13 moves, under a state as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 in which the door 10 is opened, through the opening portion 10 a in a front-rear direction with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A by being guided by a guide means described later.
- the pullout member 13 is provided so as to be movable, with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A, in a direction indicated by the arrow D 1 (push-in direction: rear direction) which is a substantially horizontal direction and in a direction indicated by the arrow D 2 (pullout direction: front direction) which is reverse thereto.
- the respective cartridges P are arranged in such a manner that the longitudinal directions thereof (axis direction of drum 1 , axis direction of development roller 40 ) are adjacent to each other in the movement directions of the pullout member 13 (the same direction as the arrows D 1 and D 2 ), and are supported by the pullout member 13 .
- the pullout member 13 supports the plurality of cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) in a state being arranged adjacently in one direction.
- the pullout member 13 supports the plurality of cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) in a state in which the longitudinal direction thereof are arranged in a (substantially orthogonal) direction orthogonal to the direction indicated by the arrow D 1 (D2 direction). Then, the pullout member 13 is movable, under a state in which the door 10 is opened, between the inside position A for positioning the cartridges P inside the apparatus main body 100 A and the pullout position (outside position) B pulled out from the inside position A, at which the respective cartridges are detachable.
- the inside position A is, for example, in a state illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 .
- the pullout position B is, for example, in a state illustrated in FIG.
- the cartridges P perform the image formation.
- the cartridges P are detachable with respect to the pullout member 13 .
- the pullout member 13 is positioned at the inside position A for positioning the cartridges P inside the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the inside position A is a position in which the pullout member 13 is positioned inside the apparatus main body 100 A than the opening portion l 00 a .
- the inside position A is a position in which the pullout member 13 supports the respective cartridges P, and is a latent image forming position (image forming position) in which the electrostatic latent image may be formed on the drum 1 inside the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the respective cartridges P are positioned at their mounting positions with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the respective drums 1 are brought into contact with the belt 11 , thereby being in a state in which the developer image may be transferred from the drums 1 onto the recording medium S which is conveyed with the belt 11 .
- the respective cartridges P are pressed by pressing members to be fixed to predetermined positioning portions (not shown)
- drive input portions coupled to drive input portions (coupling members 45 and 47 : FIG. 12 ) of the respective cartridges
- drive output portions drum coupling members 27 and developer coupling members 26 : FIG. 9B
- a power feeding system (not shown) on the apparatus main body side is connected.
- the pullout member 13 is positioned and fixed to the apparatus main body 100 A with fixing means (not shown). In this state, the image forming apparatus 100 is allowed to carry out image forming operation.
- the opening portion 100 a and the opening portion 100 b of the apparatus main body 100 A are opened. Then, at the opening portion 100 a , a handle portion 28 , which is provided to a front surface of a front frame of the pullout member 13 , is exposed. Further, with an interlocking mechanism (not shown), which interlocks with the opening and rotational movement of the door 10 , a second roller 11 b side of the belt unit 5 moves down to a predetermined position about a rotation center axis of a first roller 11 a as a center. With this operation, the belt 11 is separated from the lower surface of the drum 1 of the respective cartridges P.
- the contact of the belt 11 with respect to the drum 1 is released. Further, the coupling of the drive output portion on the apparatus main body side with respect to the drive input portion of the respective cartridges P is released (drive release). Further, the pressing of the pressing member, with which the respective cartridges P is positioned and fixed, is released (pressing release). Further, the conduction of the power feeding system on the apparatus main body side with respect to the electrical contacts of the respective cartridges P is released (power feeding release). Still further, the positioning and fixing of the pullout member 13 with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A by a positioning and fixing means is released.
- the opening portion (first opening portion) 100 a for allowing the pullout member 13 to pass through is provided to the apparatus main body 100 A. Further, in a state in which the pullout member 13 is positioned at the pullout position B, the opening portion (second opening portion) 100 b is provided so as to position above the heaviest cartridge Pk positioned in the apparatus main body 100 A. Provision of the opening portion 100 b allows the attachment and detachment of the cartridge Pk positioned in the apparatus main body 100 A with respect to the pullout member 13 to be carried more easier. Note that, if an opening area of the opening portion 100 a is large, the attachment and detachment of the cartridge Pk with respect to the pullout member 13 may be carried out without the opening portion 100 b .
- opening portion 100 b allows the attachment and detachment of the cartridge Pk with respect to the pullout member 13 to be carried out further easier.
- the opening portions 100 a and 100 b are opened and closed using a common door (opening and closing member) 10 .
- the user grasps the handle portion 28 and slide-moves the pullout member 13 horizontally in a front direction, which being the pullout direction D 2 , with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the pullout member 13 is pulled out sufficiently from the opening portion 100 a to a predetermined pullout position B outside the apparatus main body 100 A ( FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 ).
- the pullout member 13 is sufficiently pulled out to the predetermined position B, which is a position projected as much as possible from the inside to the outside of the apparatus main body 100 A. If the pullout member 13 is sufficiently pulled out to the predetermined pullout position B, the further pullout movement is blocked with a stopper member (not shown).
- the drums 1 of the respective cartridges P and the belt 11 are separated. Thus, rubbing between the both does not cause.
- the cartridge Pk positioned most upstream of the pullout member 13 is positioned inside the apparatus main body 100 A ( FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 ) at the pullout position B of the pullout member 13 .
- the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc are positioned outside the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the pullout member 13 has a structure in which the individual cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) each may be removed upward, and may be supported by moving the respective cartridges downward. Therefore, the user lifts up a spent cartridge to be replaced from the pullout member 13 to remove the spent cartridge (upward arrow C 1 of FIG. 8 ). Then, a new cartridge is downwardly dropped (downward arrow direction C 2 ) with respect to the pullout member 13 from the above, which being a substantially gravity direction. With this operation, the cartridge is supported in the pullout member 13 .
- the cartridges Py, Pm, Pc positioned outside the apparatus main body 100 A are removed by being lifted up with respect to the pullout member 13 at the outside of the apparatus main body 100 A, and are mounted by being fitted therein from the above.
- the cartridge Pk positioned inside the apparatus main body may be removed from the pullout member 13 in a state being positioned inside the apparatus main body 100 A by allowing the cartridge Pk to pass through the opening portion 10 b , and may be mounted onto the pullout member 13 by being fitted therein from the above.
- the heaviest cartridge Pk is positioned inside the apparatus main body 100 A. Then, the cartridges Py, Pm, Pc except the heaviest cartridge Pk are positioned outside the apparatus main body 100 A. Specifically, in a state in which the cartridge supporting member is positioned at the pullout position, the heaviest cartridge is positioned inside the apparatus main body, and the other cartridges except the heaviest cartridge are positioned outside the apparatus main body. With this structure, such a moment that the pullout member 13 tends to tilt down due to the gravitational force may be reduced (This point is described later.).
- the user horizontally slide-moves the pullout member 13 toward backward, with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A, which is the push-in direction D 1 being reverse to the pullout direction D 2 . Then, the pullout member 13 is moved from the pullout position B to the inside of the apparatus main body 100 A by being sufficiently pushed-in.
- the stopper member not shown
- the door 10 is closed ( FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 ). With the closing operation of the door 10 , the opening portion 100 a and the opening portion 100 b of the apparatus main body 100 A are closed. Further, with an interlocking mechanism which interlocks with the closing operation of the door (opening and closing member) 10 , the pullout member 13 moves down and is positioned and fixed with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A by a position fixing means. Besides, the respective cartridges P are pushed by the pressing member (not shown) and are come to a state being positioned and fixed to predetermined positioning portions. Further, the drive output portion on the apparatus main body side is coupled with respect to the drive input portion of the respective cartridges P.
- the conduction of the power feeding system on the apparatus main body side with respect to the electrical contacts of the respective cartridges P is established.
- the second roller 11 b side of the belt unit 5 moves up to a predetermined position about the rotation center axis of the first roller 11 a as a center.
- the belt 11 becomes a contact state with respect to the lower surface of the drums 1 of the respective cartridges P.
- the image forming apparatus 100 is allowed to carry out image forming operation.
- the pullout member 13 is positioned at the inside position A.
- the inside position A is a position in which the pullout member 13 is positioned inside the apparatus main body 100 A than the opening portion 100 a.
- the plurality of cartridges P enters inside the apparatus main body 100 together with the pullout member 13 while being supported by the pullout member 13 . Accordingly, the user allows the pullout member 13 to enter the inside of the apparatus main body 100 A, and closes the door 10 . With this operation, the plurality of cartridges P may be positively mounted with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A. Therefore, compared to a structure of individually mounting the respective cartridges P within the apparatus main body 100 A, the mounting and detaching operability may be enhanced.
- the pullout member (cartridge supporting member) 13 moves, while detachably supporting the plurality of cartridges P, between the inside position A positioned inside the apparatus main body 100 A and the pullout position B pulled out from the inside position A to the outside of the apparatus main body 100 A. Then, the pullout member 13 supports the plurality of the cartridges P by arranging them in the pullout member 13 so that the longitudinal directions of the cartridges P is orthogonal to the pullout direction D 2 in which the pullout member 13 is moved from the inside position A to the pullout position B. Also, the pullout member 13 is configured so as to support the heaviest cartridge most upstream of the pullout direction D 2 . Note that, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the heaviest cartridge P is the black cartridge Pk.
- Pullout member mounting portions provided to the apparatus main body 100 A are described with reference to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B .
- guide groove portions 14 R and 14 L are provided while opposing to each other.
- the guide groove portions 14 R and 14 L are provided substantially horizontally in front-rear direction, and a cross section, which is orthogonal to the substantially horizontal direction, has a rectangle shape (a shape of a square bracket).
- the guide groove portions 14 R and 14 L extend from the opening portion 10 a toward a deep side of the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the pullout member 13 With respect to the right and left guide groove portions 14 R and 14 L, the guided portion of the pullout member 13 , which is described later, is engaged. With this structure, the pullout member 13 is mounted with respect to the apparatus main body 100 A with the above-mentioned guide groove portions 14 R and 14 L and the guided portion being as guide means, so as to move in the direction indicated by the arrow D 1 (push-in direction) which is a substantially horizontal direction, and in the direction indicated by the arrow D 2 (pullout direction) which is reverse thereto.
- the above-mentioned “substantioned “substantially horizontal” means substantially horizontal with respect to an installation surface F of the image forming apparatus 100 .
- the pullout member 13 is not limited to the horizontal linear movement with respect to the above-mentioned installation surface F, but may be configured, for example, to move linearly obliquely above or obliquely below with respect to the above-mentioned installation surface F.
- the left side wall 100 L side of the main frame is a driving force transmitting side from the apparatus main body 100 A to the cartridges P.
- the four drum coupling members 27 are arranged at the same intervals in the horizontal direction.
- the four developer coupling members 26 are arranged at given intervals in a horizontal direction.
- the above-mentioned drum coupling members 27 and the developer coupling members 26 transmit the driving forces from the driving source (not shown) to the cartridges P.
- the drum coupling members 27 and the developer coupling members 26 are in retreated states within the left side wall in the state in which the door 10 is open, and enter the cartridge P side in association with the door 10 closing operation.
- FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the pullout member 13 , and the driving side (left side) thereof is viewed obliquely from the above
- FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the pullout member 13 , and the non-driving side (right side) is viewed obliquely from the above.
- the guided portions 13 a and 13 b each have a shape projecting outwardly in a direction in which the guide groove portions 14 R and 14 L are provided so as to be guided by being engaged with the right side and the left side guide members 14 R and 14 L.
- the guided portion 13 a and 13 b are one end and the other end of the longitudinal direction of a guided member 13 s , respectively.
- the guided member 13 s is formed in a width direction for an overall width of the pullout member 13 (a direction orthogonal to the pullout direction D 2 ), and is further projected from a mounting potion (support portion) 13 f , which is positioned most upstream with respect to the pullout direction D 2 .
- this embodiment includes the guide groove portion (first main body side support member) 14 R and the guide portion (second main body side support member) 14 L, which are provided to the apparatus main body 100 A so as to oppose to each other, for movably supporting the pullout member 13 .
- the pullout member 13 includes the guided member 13 s , which is provided most upstream of the pullout direction D 2 , and projecting from the entire width in the direction orthogonal to the pullout direction D 2 and toward the upstream side in the pullout direction D 2 .
- the pullout member 13 includes the guided portion (first guided portion) 13 a on one end side of the guided member 13 s , and the guided portion (second guided portion) 13 b on the other end side.
- the guide groove 14 R movably supports the pullout member 13 while supporting the guided portion 13 a
- the guide groove portion 14 L movably supports the pullout member 13 while supporting the guided portion 13 b .
- the guided portions 13 a and 13 b are provided on one end and the other end of the guided member 13 s , respectively, as a unit. Therefore, strength (rigidity) of the guided portions 13 a and 13 b may be enhanced.
- the guided member 13 s is a flat plate having a substantially rectangle shape when being viewed from the above and is made of a metal, and the guided portions 13 a and 13 b each are provided on one end and the other end, respectively, in the longitudinal direction of the guided member 13 s . Therefore, the guided portions 13 a and 13 b each extends along the pullout direction D 2 . With this structure, the guided portions 13 a and 13 b are supported positively with the guide groove portions 14 R and 14 L and so as to enhance the strength (rigidity).
- materials and the shape of the guided member 13 s are not particularly limited to the ones described above, but with the above-mentioned material and shape, it is possible to obtain the above-mentioned effects more preferably.
- a cartridge support portion 13 f which is positioned most upstream, is a portion for supporting the cartridge Pk which is heaviest compared to the other cartridges.
- the strength (rigidity) of the guided portions 13 a and 13 b may be enhanced.
- the strength (rigidity) of the cartridge mounting (support) portion 13 f for mounting the cartridge Pk may be enhanced. Accordingly, downward tilting of the pullout member 13 positioned at the pullout position B may be reduced.
- the guided portion 13 c (third guided portion) and 13 d (fourth guided portion) are a circular column shape (projecting portions), and are similarly in a shape of projecting outwardly in a horizontal direction and in a direction orthogonal to the pullout direction D 2 .
- the pullout member 13 includes, at one end side thereof, at the downstream side of the pullout direction D 2 , and the orthogonal direction to the pullout direction D 2 , the guided portion (third guided portion) 13 c projecting toward the orthogonal direction. Further, the pullout member 13 includes, at the other end side thereof, the guided portion (fourth guided portion) 13 d projecting toward the orthogonal direction. Then, the guide groove 14 R movably supports the pullout member 13 , while supporting the guided portion 13 c , or, the guide groove portion 14 L movable supports the pullout member 13 , while supporting the guided portion 13 d.
- the guided portions 13 a and 13 b (first guided portion and second guided portion) upstream side of the pullout direction D 2 , which require the strength (rigidity) is constructed into the guided portion 13 s having a structure described above.
- the guided portions 13 c and 13 d (third guided portion and fourth guided portion) downstream side of the pullout direction D 2 , which does not require the strength (rigidity), is formed into the circular columnar shape (projecting portion).
- a handle portion 28 for manipulating the pullout member 13 by the user.
- opening portions 131 for allowing the above-mentioned drum coupling members 27 to enter, and opening portions 13 m for allowing the developer coupling members 26 to enter.
- the coupling members 27 and 26 each enter the opening portions 13 m and the opening portions 131 in association with an operation for closing the door 10 . After that, the coupling members 27 and 26 are engaged with the coupling members of the cartridges P described later, to thereby transmit the driving forces to the cartridges P.
- the pullout member 13 moves inside the apparatus main body 100 A by moving the pullout member 13 in the direction indicated by the arrow D 1 while engaging the guided portions 13 a to 13 d provided to the pullout member 13 with the guide groove portions 14 R and 14 L.
- the pullout member 13 is movable in the same direction as the above-mentioned one direction (along the directions indicated by the arrows D 1 and D 2 ) in which the cartridges P are arranged.
- the pullout member 13 is movable in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the cartridges P, which are supported by the pullout member 13 .
- FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cartridge P, and the description will be provided while taking as a representative a black cartridge Pk as an example.
- the other color cartridges Py, Pm, and Pc the structures thereof are the same, except that the amounts and colors of the contained developers are different with each other.
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the drive side of the cartridge Pk, which is viewed obliquely from the above.
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the non-drive side of the cartridge Pk, which is viewed obliquely from the above.
- the cartridge Pk is constructed by integrating the photosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4 k .
- the photosensitive unit 8 includes the drum 1 , the charging roller 2 , the cleaning means 6 , and a removed developer containing portion 30 removed by the cleaning means 6 .
- the developing unit 4 k includes a development roller 40 , a developer supply roller 43 , a developing blade 44 , and a developer containing portion 1 k for containing the developer Tk to be used for image formation.
- the drum 1 , the development roller 40 , and the developer supply roller 43 are rotatingly driven in directions indicated by the dotted arrows, respectively.
- the charging roller 2 is rotated in association with the rotation of the drum 1 .
- a predetermined charging bias is applied to the charging roller 2 .
- a predetermined developing bias is applied to the development roller 40 .
- the developer Tk within the developer containing portion 41 k is fed into the developer supply roller 43 . Then, with the developing blade 44 , which is brought into pressure contact with an outer periphery of the developer supply roller 43 and the development roller 40 , the developer Tk is applied to the outer periphery of the development roller 40 . Also, to the developer Tk, an electric field having a predetermined polarity is applied by the developing blade 44 . Then, from the apparatus main body 100 A side, a predetermined developing bias is applied to the development roller 40 . With this operation, an electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 1 is developed as the developer image. The developer image formed on the drum 1 is transferred onto the recording medium S, and thereafter, the developer remaining on the drum surface is removed with the cleaning means 6 to be received within the removed developer containing portion 30 .
- the operator replaces the cartridge Pk with new one. With this operation, the image formation may be carried out again.
- the coupling member 47 for receiving a driving force from the drum coupling members 27 on the apparatus main body side is rotatably provided.
- the coupling member 45 for receiving a driving force from the developer coupling members 26 is rotatably provided.
- the coupling member 47 is provided on the drive side end of the drum 1 . Then, the driving force received by the coupling member 47 from the apparatus main body 100 A rotates the drum 1 . Further, the driving force received by the coupling member 45 is transmitted to the development roller 40 and the developer supply roller 43 via an intermediate gear (not shown).
- the coupling member 47 is surrounded with the cylindrical ribs 47 a ( FIG. 12 ).
- the ribs 47 a form a guided portion 30 c .
- a cylindrical protrusion is projected to form a guided portion 30 d .
- a guided portion 30 e is provided above the guided portion 30 c .
- a guided portion 30 f is provided above the guided portion 30 d .
- the respective guided portions 30 c , 30 d , 30 e , 30 f have functions of mounting the cartridge Pk into the pullout member 13 , and of positioning the cartridge Pk within the pullout member 13 .
- the photosensitive unit 8 may have a structure of containing at least the drum 1 .
- the photosensitive unit 8 may employ a structure of containing at least one of the charging roller 2 , the drum cleaning means 6 , and the removed developer containing portion 30 for receiving the developer removed by the drum cleaning means 6 , and the drum 1 .
- FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a mounting state of the cartridges P with respect to the pullout member 13 , and is a perspective view of the non-drive side viewed obliquely from the above.
- the apparatus main body 100 A and the other components are omitted.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the drive side viewed obliquely from the above, for illustrating a state of FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the drive side viewed obliquely from the above, for illustrating a state in which the mounting of all the cartridges to the pullout member is completed.
- FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional right side view of the pullout member 13 in the state of FIG. 16 .
- the respective cartridges P are mounted to the corresponding mounting portions 13 f provided to the pullout member 13 .
- the user moves the cartridges P downward in a direction indicated by the arrow C 2 , which is a substantially gravity direction, with respect to the corresponding mounting portions 13 f of the pullout member 13 for mounting.
- the respective cartridges P are mounted to the corresponding mounting portions 13 f of the pullout member 13 in such a state being arranged adjacently in one direction (the same as the direction indicate by the arrow D 1 or D 2 ).
- the black cartridge Pk containing the developer Tk of black color is mounted to the most upstream in the pullout direction (indicated by the arrow D 2 ) of the pullout member 13 .
- the pullout member 13 supports the cartridge Pk at the most upstream side.
- the amount of the developer Tk contained in the developer containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk is relatively larger than the amounts of the developers Ty, Tm, Tc contained in the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c of the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc. This is because a use amount of the developer of black color is larger than the use amounts of the developers of the other colors.
- capacities (developer containing capacity) of the developer containing portions 41 ( 41 k , 41 y , 41 m , 41 c ) containing the developers are all the same among the respective cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc).
- the developer containing capacities of the developer containing portions of the plurality of cartridges are identical with each other.
- the black cartridge Pk only is increased in amount of the developer to be contained. Consequently, the developer containing portion 41 may be used commonly among the respective color cartridges 41 k , 41 y , 41 m , 41 c.
- parts contained in the respective cartridges P are common. Besides, weights per unit volume of the developers are substantially the same, even if the colors of the developers are different. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the black cartridge Pk which contains the relatively larger amount of the developer than the other cartridges is heaviest compared to the other cartridges.
- the black cartridge Pk containing the developer of black color is mounted to the most upstream of the pullout direction (indicated by the arrow D 2 ) of the pullout member 13 .
- the weight of the developer contained in the developer containing portion 41 k of the black cartridge Pk is heavier than the weights of the developers contained in the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c of the other cartridges.
- the center of gravity G 1 of the pullout member 13 at the pullout position B locates at a position P 1 which being substantially a center of the pullout member 13 .
- the center of gravity G 2 of the pullout member 13 may be shifted to a position P 2 , which is upstream than a position P 1 at which the center of gravity G 1 locates, in the pullout direction D 2 .
- the pullout member 13 has a structure in which its weight is supported by the guide grooves 14 R and 14 L through the guided portions 13 a and 13 b at the pullout position B illustrated in FIG. 18 .
- the pullout member 13 is a cantilever state with the guided portions 13 a and 13 b being fulcrums.
- the guided portions 13 a and 13 b each having a shape extending in the pullout direction. Then, the pullout member 13 does not tilt with respect to the guide grooves 14 R and 14 L.
- the weights of the pullout member 13 and its containers (cartridge P) generate a moment M 2 about a supporting portion 100 c , at which the apparatus main body 100 is installed, as a fulcrum and having the center of gravity G 2 as an action point.
- the moment M 2 becomes smaller as a distance L 2 from the fulcrum 100 c becomes shorter. Therefore, as described above, the moment causing the pullout member 13 to tilt may be reduced by the center of gravity G 2 than the center of gravity G 1 .
- a leg portion as illustrated in FIG. 18 , extending downwardly in a vertical direction is employed.
- a bottom surface of the apparatus main body 100 A has a flat surface shape, and an overall bottom surface is used as an installation surface, a portion in the bottom surface, which is nearest to the pullout member 13 , becomes a supporting portion.
- the weight of the cartridge Pk which is positioned most upstream of the pullout member 13 in the pullout direction, is made heavier than the weight of each of the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc.
- the degree thereof may be reduced.
- the moment at the pullout position is calculated, presuming that the weight of the cartridges P to be mounted inside the pullout member 13 is heaviest, namely, presuming a case being a brand-new state.
- the cartridge Pk is in a state being positioned within the apparatus main body 100 A at the pullout position B of the pullout member 13 .
- the cartridge Pk in the pullout position B of the pullout member 13 , the cartridge Pk is positioned at an inner side of the apparatus main body than the supporting portion 100 c of the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the top opening portion 100 b is provided above the black cartridge Pk of the apparatus main body 100 A so that the black cartridge Pk may be mounted and detached through the opening portion 100 b .
- the cartridge Pk may be removed upwardly from the opening portion 100 b in a state being positioned within the apparatus main body 100 A.
- the upward direction includes not only a vertical upward direction, but also includes the removal obliquely from the above.
- the opening portion 100 b is a space, which is provided above the cartridge Pk, and indicates a space, which is the inner side than the supporting portion 100 c within the apparatus main body 100 A. In other words, only required is a structure in which there is no space that blocks the mounting and detaching of the cartridge Pk upwardly, in a state in which the cartridge Pk is positioned within the apparatus main body 100 A.
- FIG. 19 illustrates the pullout member 13 at the pullout position B, and the cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) mounted therein.
- the respective cartridges P contain the developers of the respective colors within the developer containing portions 41 ( 41 k , 41 y , 41 m , 41 c ).
- the cartridge Pk is mounted most upstream in the pullout direction (indicated by the arrow D 2 ) of the pullout member 13 .
- the weight of the developer which is contained in the developer containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk, is heavier compared to the weight of the developer, which is contained in each of the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c of the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc.
- the shape of the developer containing portion 41 k is different from the shapes of the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c of the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 19 , the developer containing portion 41 k extends (projects) vertically upwardly (orthogonal direction to pullout direction) than the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c . Therefore, the developer containing portion 41 k may contain therein the more developer. In other words, the amount of the developer to be contained in the inside of each of the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c is not more than the cartridge Pk.
- the developer containing portions are configured to be smaller in proportion thereto.
- the developer containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk positioned at the most upstream has a shape which is orthogonal to the pullout direction D 2 and projects more upwardly than the each of the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c of the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc.
- each of the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c is configured to be smaller than the developer containing portion 41 k .
- the developer containing portions are free from making uselessly larger, thereby being capable of reducing costs.
- the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c may be prevented from becoming uselessly larger, and hence the weight itself of each of the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c may be made smaller. In other words, such a moment that the pullout member 13 tends to tilt downward (in the gravity direction) may be reduced when the pullout member 13 is pulled-out to the pullout position B.
- FIG. 20 illustrates the pullout member 13 at the pullout position B, and the cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) mounted therein.
- the respective cartridges P contain the developers of the respective colors within the developer containing portions 41 ( 41 k , 41 y , 41 m , 41 c ).
- the black cartridge Pk containing the developer of black color is mounted most upstream in the pullout direction (indicated by the arrow D 2 ) of the pullout member 13 .
- the weight of the developer, which is contained in the developer containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk is heavier compared to the weight of the developer, which is contained in each of the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c of the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc.
- the developer containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk has a larger shape than the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c of the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc along the pullout direction D 2 .
- the shape of the developer containing portion 41 k is different from the shapes of the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c .
- the developer containing portion 41 k extends horizontally (in the direction in which the cartridges are adjacently disposed) than the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c . Therefore, the developer containing portion 41 k may contain therein the more developer than the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c.
- the developer containing portion 41 k is made to have a different shape with the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c .
- the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c are free from making uselessly larger, thereby being capable of reducing costs. Further, the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c may be prevented from becoming uselessly larger.
- the weight itself of each of the developer containing portions 41 y , 41 m , 41 c may be made smaller. In other words, such a moment that the pullout member 13 tends to tilt downward may be reduced when the pullout member 13 is pulled-out to the pullout position B.
- the developer containing portion 41 k is extended in a direction parallel to the pullout direction D 2 .
- a useless space exists vertically above the other cartridges Py, Pm, and Pc.
- there is no such a space Consequently, in the third embodiment, the space of the vertical direction may be effectively used.
- the heaviest cartridge Pk contains the much developer than the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc.
- the present invention is not limited to the structure described above.
- the parts contained in the heaviest cartridge P may be heavier than the parts contained in the other cartridges.
- the number of the plurality of cartridges, which are arranged adjacently in one direction and supported by the pullout member 13 is not limited to four of the embodiments.
- the present invention may be adopted to a case in which the number of the cartridges is set to two or three, or even in a case of five or more.
- the contact and separation between the drum 1 and the belt 11 in the above-mentioned embodiments may be carried out with a system in which the pullout member 13 supporting the plurality of cartridges is moved with respect to the belt unit 5 . Otherwise, there may employ a system in which both the belt unit 5 and the pullout member 13 are moved.
- the belt unit 5 is used as an intermediate transfer belt unit.
- the present invention may be adopted to a structure of the image forming apparatus in which the developer image of the respective colors, which is superimposingly transferred with respect to the intermediate transfer belt, is retransferred (secondary transfer) onto the recording medium S.
- the present invention is not limited thereto.
- the present invention may also be adopted to a case in which the developer amounts of the respective cartridges P are the same, but the weights of the parts of the respective cartridges P differ.
- the present invention may also be adopted a case in which weights per unit volume of the developers differ.
- there may take a structure in which the heaviest cartridge is supported most upstream of the pullout direction of the cartridge supporting member (pullout member 13 ). According to the present invention, it is possible to realize the above-mentioned effects.
- the first embodiment is invoked to describe this embodiment with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 17 .
- This embodiment is similar to the first to third embodiments in a point that the heaviest cartridge Pk is supported most upstream in the pullout direction D 2 .
- the parts contained in the cartridge Pk are heavier than the parts contained in the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc.
- the developer amount contained in the cartridge Pk is the same as the developer amount contained in the each of the other cartridges. Accordingly, the cartridge Pk is heavier than the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc.
- the above-mentioned parts include at least one or a combination of the plurality of parts selected from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 1 , the charging roller 2 , the cleaning blade 6 , the development roller 40 , the developer supply roller 43 , and the cartridge frame 300 (for example, FIG.
- the total weight of the cartridge Pk is heavier than the total weight of the each of the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc. Even in this embodiment, it is possible to realize the above-mentioned effects.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, in which a plurality of cartridges are detachably mounted to an apparatus main body to form an image on a recording medium.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Here, the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms a color image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming process. Then, examples of the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus include, for example, a color electrophotographic copying machine, a color electrophotographic printer (for example, such as a color laser beam printer and a color LED printer), a color facsimile machine, and a color word processor.
- Besides, the recording medium is one on which an image is to be formed by the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and paper, an OHP sheet, and the like are included therein, for instance.
- Further, a cartridge is, for example, a process cartridge or a developing cartridge, and contributes, in a state being detachably mounted to a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, to an image forming process for forming the image on the recording medium. Here, in the above-mentioned process cartridge, at least one of a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means each serving as a process means and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated into a cartridge, which is detachably mountable to the main body. Therefore, a process cartridge into which the developing means serving as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated, may be detachably mountable to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In addition, a process cartridge into which the charging means, the developing means, or the cleaning means each serving as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated, may be detachably mountable to the main body. Note that, the process cartridge, which integrally includes the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing means, is referred to as a so-called integral type. Further, the process cartridge, which integrally includes the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means other than the developing means, is referred to as a so-called separation type. That is, the developing means is provided in a developing unit, which is separated from the process cartridge, and the image formation is performed through a pair of the developing unit and the process cartridge. The process cartridge is referred to as the so-called separation type.
- In this case, the process cartridge can detachably mounted to the main body by a user in person. Accordingly, the user can easily perform maintenance of the apparatus main body. Note that, the process means acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.
- Further, the developing cartridge includes a developing roller, contains a developer (toner) used to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum by the developing roller, and is detachably mountable to the main body. In a case of the developing cartridge, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is mounted to the apparatus main body or a cartridge supporting member described below. Alternatively, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is provided in the so-called separation type process cartridge (in this case, the process cartridge has no developing means). Note that, the developing cartridge is also detachably mountable to the main body by the user in person. For that reason, the maintenance of the apparatus main body may easily be performed.
- Then, as the cartridge, the so-called integral type or the so-called separation type process cartridge may be used. Further, as the cartridge, the so-called separation type process cartridge and the developing cartridge may be used as a pair. Further, there may include a case in which, as the cartridge, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is fixed and mounted to the apparatus main body or the cartridge supporting member described below, and the developing cartridge is detachably used so as to be capable of acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. Still further, the above-mentioned cartridge includes a developer cartridge containing a developer (toner) to be supplied to the process cartridge or the developing cartridge.
- As described above, hitherto, there is known the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which forms a color image on the recording medium using the electrophotographic image forming process. In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, there is known the above-mentioned process cartridge system. Alternatively, there is known a developing cartridge system, which is constructed only by the above-mentioned developing unit as a separate member from the photosensitive drum. There is also known the above-mentioned developer cartridge system containing the developer. The above-mentioned process cartridge system, developing cartridge system, and developer cartridge system are all inclusively referred to as the cartridge systems.
- Note that, the above-mentioned process cartridge and developing cartridge each includes a developer containing portion for containing the developer (toner) used to develop the electrostatic latent image.
- On the other hand, in order to facilitate a replacement of the cartridge by the user, there is provided a pullout drawer (cartridge supporting member) for supporting a plurality of cartridges. Then, the pullout drawer is pulled out from an inside of the main body to a predetermined position, thereby allowing the replacement of each of the cartridges. This structure is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0160388.
- The present invention further evolves the above-mentioned conventional structure.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which is improved in its operability for mounting and detaching a cartridge from an apparatus main body.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which, at an initial setting, when a cartridge supporting member supporting a plurality of cartridges is pulled out from the apparatus main body, tilting of the supporting member itself due to weight of the cartridges is hard to cause.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of reducing a degree of rigidity enhancement for enhancing a rigidity of the apparatus main body in order to prevent the supporting member under a pulled out state from tilting down due to the gravitational force when the supporting member is pulled out from the apparatus main body.
- A typical structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention for attaining the above-mentioned objects is characterized by a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges are detachably mounted to an apparatus main body to form an image on a recording medium, the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising a cartridge supporting member detachably supporting the plurality of cartridges and movable between an inside position in which the cartridge supporting member is inside the apparatus main body and a pullout position in which the cartridge supporting member is pulled out from the inside position to an outside of the apparatus main body, wherein the plurality of cartridges are arranged side-by-side and supported on the cartridge supporting member so that a longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of cartridges orthogonal to a pullout direction in which the cartridge supporting member moves from the inside position to the pullout position, and a cartridge, which is heaviest among the plurality of cartridges, is supported most upstream of the pullout direction.
- According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which enhances the operability for mounting and detaching the cartridge from the apparatus main body.
- According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which, when the cartridge supporting member supporting the plurality of cartridges is pulled out from the apparatus main body, the tilting of the supporting member itself due to the weight of the cartridges is hard to cause.
- According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of reducing the degree of rigidity enhancement for enhancing the rigidity of the apparatus main body in order to prevent the supporting member in the pulled out state from tilting down due to the gravitational force when the supporting member is pulled out from the apparatus main body.
- Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of the image forming apparatus. -
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus in a door opening state. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of the image forming apparatus in the door opening state. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of the image forming apparatus in a state in which a pullout member is pulled out to a pullout position. -
FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus in a state in which the pullout member is pulled out to the pullout position. -
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating a replacement procedure of the cartridges; -
FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a pullout member mounting portion in an apparatus main body. -
FIGS. 10A and 11B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a structure of the pullout member. -
FIG. 11 is a schematic enlarged lateral sectional view of a black cartridge. -
FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of the black cartridge viewed from a drive side. -
FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of the black cartridge viewed from a non-drive side. -
FIG. 14 is a diagram for illustrating a state in which a cartridge P is mounted to the pullout member, and is a perspective view of the non-drive side viewed obliquely from above. -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the drive side viewed obliquely from the above, for illustrating the state ofFIG. 14 -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the drive side viewed obliquely from the above, for illustrating a state in which the mounting of all the cartridges to the pullout member is completed. -
FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional right side view of the pullout member in the state ofFIG. 16 . -
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a moment acting so that the pullout member pulled out to the pullout position is tilted. -
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. - Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specifically described, dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit a scope of the present invention thereto.
- (General Schematic Structure of Color Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus)
-
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an image forming apparatus) 100 according to this embodiment,FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of theimage forming apparatus 100, andFIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view ofFIG. 2 . Theimage forming apparatus 100 is a four-full-color laser beam printer using an electrophotographic process. Specifically, theimage forming apparatus 100 conducts a full color image formation with respect to a recording medium S on the basis of an electrical image signal, which is input from a host apparatus (not shown) such as a personal computer, an image reader, a facsimile on the other side, and the like to acontrol circuit portion 200. - In the following description, regarding the
image forming apparatus 100, a forward side or a front side refers to a side on which adoor 10 for opening and closing the apparatus is arranged. A rear side refers to an opposite side thereto. A front-rear direction refers to a direction from the rear side toward the front side of the image forming apparatus (front direction), and an opposite direction thereto (rear direction). A left and right refers to a left or a right when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front side. A lateral direction refers to a direction from right toward left (left-hand direction) and an opposite direction thereto (right-hand direction). Further, an apparatusmain body 100A refers to an image forming apparatus portion excluding the cartridges. - The
image forming apparatus 100 described in this embodiment is a so-called lateral tandem type, in which four process cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, and Pc) for forming developer images (toner images) of respective black (k), yellow (y), magenta (m), and cyan (c) colors, are arranged in a lateral direction. In theimage forming apparatus 100, the plurality of cartridges P are detachably mounted to the apparatusmain body 100A to form a color image on a recording medium S. - Specifically, in an inside of the apparatus
main body 100A, a first to fourth four process cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, and Pc) are arranged side-by-side substantially horizontally in order from a rear side to a front side. Each of the process cartridges (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge) P includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 1 (hereinafter referred to as a drum) on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. Thedrum 1 is rotatingly driven in clockwise as indicated by an arrow. At the periphery of thedrum 1, a charging means 2, a developing means 4 (4 k, 4 y, 4 m, and 4 c), and a drum cleaning means 6 as process means acting on the drum are arranged in order of mention along a rotation direction of thedrum 1. - It should be noted that, in this embodiment, description is made by taking as an example of the cartridge a so-called integral type process cartridge described above, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
- The
drum 1 is obtained by coating, for example, an organic photoconductive layer (OPC photoconductor) onto an outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder. - The charging means (process means) 2 employs a contact charging system, in which a charging roller (conductive roller formed into a roller shape) is used as a charging member. The charging
roller 2 is arranged substantially in parallel to and abutting thedrum 1, and is rotated in association with the rotation of thedrum 1. Then, the surface of thedrum 1 is uniformly charged with a predetermined polarity and electric potential through an application of a predetermined charging bias voltage to the chargingroller 2 from a power supply section (not shown). - The developing means (process means) 4 is a developing unit, which develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the
drum 1 by using a developer (toner). The developing units 4 (4 k, 4 y, 4 m, and 4 c) of the respective cartridges P each includes a developer containing portion 41 (41 k, 41 y, 41 m, 41 c) containing a developer T (Tk, Ty, Tm, Tc) and a developingroller 40 as a developing member with respect to thedrum 1. In addition, each developing unit 4 includes adeveloper supply roller 43 as a developer applying member with respect to the developingroller 40 and a developing blade as a developer restricting member which is brought into pressure contact with an outer periphery of the developingroller 40. - The drum cleaning means (process means) 6 is a cleaning member, which removes a transfer residual developer from a surface of the
drum 1 after the transfer of the developer image formed on a peripheral surface of thedrum 1 to a sheet of the recording medium S. In this embodiment, a cleaning blade is used as the cleaning member. The developer removed from the drum surface is received in a removeddeveloper container portion 30. - Each of the cartridges P is constructed by combining a
photosensitive unit 8 including thedrum 1, the chargingroller 2, and a drum cleaning means 6 with the developing units 4 (4 k, 4 y, 4 m, and 4 c). Then, the respective cartridges P are detachably replaceable with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A with a pullout system. Further detailed structure of the cartridges P and the pullout system are described later. - A first cartridge Pk has a structure in which a developer Tk of black color (k-color) is contained in the
developer containing portion 41 k of the developingunit 4 k, and a developer image of black color is formed on a surface of thedrum 1. A second cartridge Py has a structure in which a developer Ty of yellow color (y-color) is contained in thedeveloper containing portion 41 y of the developingunit 4 y, and a developer image of yellow color is formed on thedrum 1. A third cartridge Pm has a structure in which a developer Tm of magenta color (m-color) is contained in thedeveloper containing portion 41 m of the developingunit 4 m, and a developer image of magenta color is formed on thedrum 1. A fourth cartridge Pc has a structure in which the developer Tc of cyan color (c-color) is contained in thedeveloper containing portion 41 c of the developingunit 4 c, and a developer image of cyan color is formed on thedrum 1. - On an upper side of the cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) mounted inside of the apparatus
main body 100A, alaser scanner unit 3 as an image exposing means is arranged. Besides, on the lower side thereof, an electrostatictransfer belt unit 5 as a transfer means is arranged. - The
laser scanner unit 3 includes a laser diode, a polygon mirror, an FE lens, a reflection mirror, and the like, and outputs a laser beam L which has been modulated in correspondence with image information of each color, which is input from a host apparatus to acontrol circuit portion 200, to thereby scan and expose the charged surface of thedrum 1. With this operation, an electrostatic latent image, which corresponds to a scanning and exposing pattern is formed on the surface of thedrum 1. - The
belt unit 5 includes an endless electrostatic transfer belt (hereinafter referred to as a belt) 11, which is formed of a dielectric body and having a flexibility. Further, thebelt unit 5 includes afirst roller 11 a of the rear side and asecond roller 11 b of the front side, around which thebelt 11 is wrapped and stretched. In addition, thebelt unit 5 includes fourtransfer rollers 12, which are arranged inside thebelt 11 and between thefirst roller 11 a and thesecond roller 11 b, and are brought into pressure contact with thedrums 1 of the respective cartridges P, while sandwiching thebelt 11 therebetween. In the respective cartridges P, a contact portion between thedrum 1 and thebelt 11 constitutes a transfer nip portion. When thefirst roller 11 a is driven, thebelt 11 rotates in a counterclockwise direction (a direction indicated by the arrow inFIG. 2 andFIG. 3 ) as a speed corresponding to a rotation speed of thedrum 1. On the lower surface side of thebelt 11, there is provided a belt cleaning means 7. - Operation for forming a full-color image is as follows. The cartridges P are sequentially driven at predetermined control timing. Specifically, the
respective drums 1 are rotatingly driven in a clockwise direction (a direction indicated by the arrow inFIG. 2 andFIG. 3 ). Thebelt 11 of thebelt unit 5 is also rotatingly driven. Thelaser scanner unit 3 is also driven. In synchronism with the drive, in each of the cartridges P, the chargingroller 2 uniformly charges the surface of thedrum 1 to a predetermined polarity and predetermined potential. Thescanner unit 3 carries out a laser beam scanning exposure on the surfaces of therespective drums 1 in accordance with corresponding image signals. With this operation, electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of therespective drums 1 in accordance with the corresponding image signals. The formed electrostatic latent images are developed by the developing units 4 (4 k, 4 y, 4 m, and 4 c) (the development rollers 40). That is, developer images are formed. - With the above-mentioned electrophotographic process operation, a developer image of k-color corresponding to a black component image of a full-color image is formed on the
drum 1 of the cartridge Pk. On thedrum 1 of the cartridge Py, a developer image of y-color corresponding to a yellow component image of a full-color image is formed. On thedrum 1 of the cartridge Pm, a developer image of magenta color corresponding to a magenta component image of a full-color image is formed. On thedrum 1 of the cartridge Pc, a developer image of cyan color corresponding to a cyan component image of a full-color image is formed. - On the other hand, a feeding
roller 18 of a feedingportion 16 is driven at predetermined control timing, and one sheet of recording medium S is separated and fed from a feedingcassette 17 in which the recording mediums S are contained. The feedingcassette 17 may be freely put in and taken out from the front side of the apparatusmain body 100A (front loading).Reference symbol 17 a denotes a handle portion provided to a front surface of the feedingcassette 17. The fed recording medium S is supplied onto thebelt 11 of thebelt unit 5 from the front side at predetermined control timing by aregistration roller pair 19. The recording medium S fed onto thebelt 11 is electrostatically attracted to thebelt 11. Then, along with the rotation of thebelt 11, the recording medium S is sequentially fed to respective transfer nip portions of the cartridge PC, the cartridge Pm, the cartridge Py, and the cartridge Pk. To thetransfer roller 12, there is applied a transfer bias from a power supply (not shown), which is a reverse polarity with respect to a charging polarity of the developer (charging polarity of toner), and has a predetermined potential. With this operation, four-color developer images of c-color+m-color+y-color+k-color are superposed and transferred on the recording medium S. With this operation, an unfixed full-color developer image is formed on the recording medium S. - Then, the recording medium S is separated from the surface of the
belt 11 to be introduced to a fixingportion 20. The fixingportion 20 fixes the developer image of a plurality of colors transferred onto the recording medium S. The fixingportion 20 includes aheating roller 20 a that rotates and apressure roller 20 b which is brought into pressure contact with theheating roller 20 a to apply heat and pressure to the recording medium S. The recording medium S, on which the developer image is formed, is nipped and conveyed by the fixingroller pair portion 20. Then, heat and pressure are applied to the recording medium S by the fixingroller pair portion 20, and is delivered from adelivery portion 24, through a conveying path including adelivery roller pair 23, to adelivery tray 25 outside the apparatus main body, as a full-color image formation product. - Note that, in a case of a monochrome image forming mode, only the image formation using the cartridge Pk is performed.
- (Cartridge Replacement System)
- Replacements of the respective cartridges P may be performed by a user when the developer is consumed and reached its life end. In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the replacement of the cartridge is allowed to perform by front access by mounting the cartridges onto the
pullout member 13 as the cartridge supporting member which being a pullout frame member. When attaching and detaching the cartridges P with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A, the attachment and detachment of the cartridges P are performed with respect to thepullout member 13 which is in a pullout state outside the apparatusmain body 100A. Then, thepullout member 13 supporting the cartridges P is pushed into the apparatusmain body 100A. With this operation, the cartridges P may be mounted to predetermined positions within the apparatusmain body 100A. Thus, enhancement of the mounting and detaching operability of the cartridges P with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A may be attained. - In the front side of the apparatus
main body 100A, a front opening portion (first opening portion) 100 a is provided. Theopening portion 100 a is an opening portion through which the cartridges are pushed into the inside of the apparatusmain body 100A, or, when the cartridge is pulled out from the apparatusmain body 100A, the pullout member (cartridge supporting member) 13 supporting the cartridge passes. Note that, thepullout member 13 is made of a metal. Besides, an upper opening portion (a second opening portion) 100 b is provided on the front upper portion of the apparatusmain body 100A with the upper opening portion continuing thefront opening portion 100 a. On the front side of the apparatusmain body 100A, arotatable door 10 is arranged. Thedoor 10 is an opening and closing member capable of assuming a closing position for closing theopening portion 100 a and of assuming an open position for opening theopening portion 100 a. In this embodiment, the door (opening and closing member) 10 is rotatable for opening and closing with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A about ahinge portion 10 b positioned at a lower side of the door. Specifically, thedoor 10 rotates about thehinge portion 10 b as a center so as to be raised, whereby theopening portion 100 a is closed as illustrated inFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 . Further, thedoor 10 rotates about thehinge portion 10 b as the center so as to be tilted down toward the front of the apparatusmain body 100A, whereby theopening portion 100 a is open as illustrated inFIG. 4 andFIG. 5 .Reference symbol 10 a denotes a finger engageable portion formed in the front of thedoor 10. The top of thedoor 10 is folded inwardly at a substantially right angle as atop door portion 10 c with respect to the openingportion 10 b. If thedoor 10 moves to the closing position with respect to theopening portion 100 a, thetop door portion 10 c also assumes a closing position with respect to the openingportion 10 b, whereby theopening portion 100 b is closed by thetop door portion 10 c. Besides, if thedoor 10 moves to the opening position for opening the openingportion 10 a, thetop door portion 10 c also moves to the opening position for opening the openingportion 10 b. With this operation, theopening portion 100 b is opened. - Specifically, the pullout member (cartridge supporting member) 13 moves, while detachably supporting the plurality of cartridges P, between an inside position A positioned inside the apparatus
main body 100A and a pullout position B pulled out to the outside of the apparatusmain body 100A from the inside position A. - The
pullout member 13 moves, under a state as illustrated inFIG. 4 andFIG. 5 in which thedoor 10 is opened, through the openingportion 10 a in a front-rear direction with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A by being guided by a guide means described later. Specifically, thepullout member 13 is provided so as to be movable, with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A, in a direction indicated by the arrow D1 (push-in direction: rear direction) which is a substantially horizontal direction and in a direction indicated by the arrow D2 (pullout direction: front direction) which is reverse thereto. Then, the respective cartridges P are arranged in such a manner that the longitudinal directions thereof (axis direction ofdrum 1, axis direction of development roller 40) are adjacent to each other in the movement directions of the pullout member 13 (the same direction as the arrows D1 and D2), and are supported by thepullout member 13. Specifically, thepullout member 13 supports the plurality of cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) in a state being arranged adjacently in one direction. As described above, thepullout member 13 supports the plurality of cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) in a state in which the longitudinal direction thereof are arranged in a (substantially orthogonal) direction orthogonal to the direction indicated by the arrow D1 (D2 direction). Then, thepullout member 13 is movable, under a state in which thedoor 10 is opened, between the inside position A for positioning the cartridges P inside the apparatusmain body 100A and the pullout position (outside position) B pulled out from the inside position A, at which the respective cartridges are detachable. The inside position A is, for example, in a state illustrated inFIG. 2 andFIG. 3 . The pullout position B is, for example, in a state illustrated inFIG. 6 ,FIG. 7 , andFIG. 8 . According to this embodiment, in a state in which thepullout member 13 is positioned at the inside position A, the cartridges P perform the image formation. In a state in which thepullout member 13 is positioned at the pullout position B pulled out from the apparatusmain body 100A, the cartridges P are detachable with respect to thepullout member 13. - In a state in which the
door 10 is closed (FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 ), thepullout member 13 is positioned at the inside position A for positioning the cartridges P inside the apparatusmain body 100A. The inside position A is a position in which thepullout member 13 is positioned inside the apparatusmain body 100A than the opening portion l00 a. According to this embodiment, the inside position A is a position in which thepullout member 13 supports the respective cartridges P, and is a latent image forming position (image forming position) in which the electrostatic latent image may be formed on thedrum 1 inside the apparatusmain body 100A. Specifically, the respective cartridges P are positioned at their mounting positions with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A. Then, therespective drums 1 are brought into contact with thebelt 11, thereby being in a state in which the developer image may be transferred from thedrums 1 onto the recording medium S which is conveyed with thebelt 11. At the inside position A, the respective cartridges P are pressed by pressing members to be fixed to predetermined positioning portions (not shown) In this state, with respect to drive input portions (coupling members 45 and 47:FIG. 12 ) of the respective cartridges, drive output portions (drumcoupling members 27 and developer coupling members 26:FIG. 9B ) provided to the apparatusmain body 100A are coupled. With respect to electrical contacts (not shown) of the respective cartridges, a power feeding system (not shown) on the apparatus main body side is connected. Thepullout member 13 is positioned and fixed to the apparatusmain body 100A with fixing means (not shown). In this state, theimage forming apparatus 100 is allowed to carry out image forming operation. - If the
door 10 is opened as illustrated inFIG. 4 andFIG. 5 , theopening portion 100 a and theopening portion 100 b of the apparatusmain body 100A are opened. Then, at theopening portion 100 a, ahandle portion 28, which is provided to a front surface of a front frame of thepullout member 13, is exposed. Further, with an interlocking mechanism (not shown), which interlocks with the opening and rotational movement of thedoor 10, asecond roller 11 b side of thebelt unit 5 moves down to a predetermined position about a rotation center axis of afirst roller 11 a as a center. With this operation, thebelt 11 is separated from the lower surface of thedrum 1 of the respective cartridges P. Specifically, the contact of thebelt 11 with respect to thedrum 1 is released. Further, the coupling of the drive output portion on the apparatus main body side with respect to the drive input portion of the respective cartridges P is released (drive release). Further, the pressing of the pressing member, with which the respective cartridges P is positioned and fixed, is released (pressing release). Further, the conduction of the power feeding system on the apparatus main body side with respect to the electrical contacts of the respective cartridges P is released (power feeding release). Still further, the positioning and fixing of thepullout member 13 with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A by a positioning and fixing means is released. - As described above, to the apparatus
main body 100A, the opening portion (first opening portion) 100 a for allowing thepullout member 13 to pass through is provided. Further, in a state in which thepullout member 13 is positioned at the pullout position B, the opening portion (second opening portion) 100 b is provided so as to position above the heaviest cartridge Pk positioned in the apparatusmain body 100A. Provision of theopening portion 100 b allows the attachment and detachment of the cartridge Pk positioned in the apparatusmain body 100A with respect to thepullout member 13 to be carried more easier. Note that, if an opening area of theopening portion 100 a is large, the attachment and detachment of the cartridge Pk with respect to thepullout member 13 may be carried out without the openingportion 100 b. However, provision of theopening portion 100 b allows the attachment and detachment of the cartridge Pk with respect to thepullout member 13 to be carried out further easier. The openingportions - Then, the user grasps the
handle portion 28 and slide-moves thepullout member 13 horizontally in a front direction, which being the pullout direction D2, with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A. Then, thepullout member 13 is pulled out sufficiently from theopening portion 100 a to a predetermined pullout position B outside the apparatusmain body 100A (FIG. 6 andFIG. 7 ). Specifically, thepullout member 13 is sufficiently pulled out to the predetermined position B, which is a position projected as much as possible from the inside to the outside of the apparatusmain body 100A. If thepullout member 13 is sufficiently pulled out to the predetermined pullout position B, the further pullout movement is blocked with a stopper member (not shown). During the pullout movement of thepullout member 13, thedrums 1 of the respective cartridges P and thebelt 11 are separated. Thus, rubbing between the both does not cause. - In this embodiment, in the pullout direction D2 from the inside position A toward the pullout position B, the cartridge Pk positioned most upstream of the
pullout member 13 is positioned inside the apparatusmain body 100A (FIG. 6 andFIG. 7 ) at the pullout position B of thepullout member 13. The other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc are positioned outside the apparatusmain body 100A. Then, thepullout member 13 has a structure in which the individual cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) each may be removed upward, and may be supported by moving the respective cartridges downward. Therefore, the user lifts up a spent cartridge to be replaced from thepullout member 13 to remove the spent cartridge (upward arrow C1 ofFIG. 8 ). Then, a new cartridge is downwardly dropped (downward arrow direction C2) with respect to thepullout member 13 from the above, which being a substantially gravity direction. With this operation, the cartridge is supported in thepullout member 13. - The cartridges Py, Pm, Pc positioned outside the apparatus
main body 100A are removed by being lifted up with respect to thepullout member 13 at the outside of the apparatusmain body 100A, and are mounted by being fitted therein from the above. The cartridge Pk positioned inside the apparatus main body may be removed from thepullout member 13 in a state being positioned inside the apparatusmain body 100A by allowing the cartridge Pk to pass through the openingportion 10 b, and may be mounted onto thepullout member 13 by being fitted therein from the above. - As described above, in the state in which the
pullout member 13 is positioned at the pullout position B, the heaviest cartridge Pk is positioned inside the apparatusmain body 100A. Then, the cartridges Py, Pm, Pc except the heaviest cartridge Pk are positioned outside the apparatusmain body 100A. Specifically, in a state in which the cartridge supporting member is positioned at the pullout position, the heaviest cartridge is positioned inside the apparatus main body, and the other cartridges except the heaviest cartridge are positioned outside the apparatus main body. With this structure, such a moment that thepullout member 13 tends to tilt down due to the gravitational force may be reduced (This point is described later.). - After completion of the replacement operation of the cartridge with respect to the
pullout member 13, the user horizontally slide-moves thepullout member 13 toward backward, with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A, which is the push-in direction D1 being reverse to the pullout direction D2. Then, thepullout member 13 is moved from the pullout position B to the inside of the apparatusmain body 100A by being sufficiently pushed-in. When thepullout member 13 is sufficiently pushed-in inside the apparatusmain body 100A, the further push-in movement is blocked with the stopper member (not shown) (FIG. 4 andFIG. 5 ). During the push-in movement of thepullout member 13, thedrum 1 of the respective cartridges P and thebelt 11 are separated, whereby the rubbing between the both does not cause. - If the
pullout member 13 is sufficiently pushed-in inside the apparatusmain body 100A, thedoor 10 is closed (FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 ). With the closing operation of thedoor 10, theopening portion 100 a and theopening portion 100 b of the apparatusmain body 100A are closed. Further, with an interlocking mechanism which interlocks with the closing operation of the door (opening and closing member) 10, thepullout member 13 moves down and is positioned and fixed with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A by a position fixing means. Besides, the respective cartridges P are pushed by the pressing member (not shown) and are come to a state being positioned and fixed to predetermined positioning portions. Further, the drive output portion on the apparatus main body side is coupled with respect to the drive input portion of the respective cartridges P. Further, the conduction of the power feeding system on the apparatus main body side with respect to the electrical contacts of the respective cartridges P is established. Then, thesecond roller 11 b side of thebelt unit 5 moves up to a predetermined position about the rotation center axis of thefirst roller 11 a as a center. With this operation, thebelt 11 becomes a contact state with respect to the lower surface of thedrums 1 of the respective cartridges P. According to this embodiment, in this state, theimage forming apparatus 100 is allowed to carry out image forming operation. Specifically, thepullout member 13 is positioned at the inside position A. The inside position A is a position in which thepullout member 13 is positioned inside the apparatusmain body 100A than the openingportion 100 a. - As described above, the plurality of cartridges P enters inside the apparatus
main body 100 together with thepullout member 13 while being supported by thepullout member 13. Accordingly, the user allows thepullout member 13 to enter the inside of the apparatusmain body 100A, and closes thedoor 10. With this operation, the plurality of cartridges P may be positively mounted with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A. Therefore, compared to a structure of individually mounting the respective cartridges P within the apparatusmain body 100A, the mounting and detaching operability may be enhanced. - As described above, the pullout member (cartridge supporting member) 13 moves, while detachably supporting the plurality of cartridges P, between the inside position A positioned inside the apparatus
main body 100A and the pullout position B pulled out from the inside position A to the outside of the apparatusmain body 100A. Then, thepullout member 13 supports the plurality of the cartridges P by arranging them in thepullout member 13 so that the longitudinal directions of the cartridges P is orthogonal to the pullout direction D2 in which thepullout member 13 is moved from the inside position A to the pullout position B. Also, thepullout member 13 is configured so as to support the heaviest cartridge most upstream of the pullout direction D2. Note that, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the heaviest cartridge P is the black cartridge Pk. - The same is true in each of embodiments described below.
- (Pullout Member Mounting Portion of Apparatus Main Body)
- Pullout member mounting portions provided to the apparatus
main body 100A are described with reference toFIG. 9A andFIG. 9B . Inside aright side wall 100R and inside aleft side wall 100L of a main frame constituting a skeletal structure of the apparatusmain body 100A, guidegroove portions guide groove portions guide groove portions portion 10 a toward a deep side of the apparatusmain body 100A. With respect to the right and leftguide groove portions pullout member 13, which is described later, is engaged. With this structure, thepullout member 13 is mounted with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A with the above-mentionedguide groove portions image forming apparatus 100. Note that, thepullout member 13 is not limited to the horizontal linear movement with respect to the above-mentioned installation surface F, but may be configured, for example, to move linearly obliquely above or obliquely below with respect to the above-mentioned installation surface F. - In this embodiment, the
left side wall 100L side of the main frame is a driving force transmitting side from the apparatusmain body 100A to the cartridges P. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 9B , below theguide groove portion 14L inside the left side wall, as the drive output portion on the apparatus main body side, for transmitting driving forces to thedrums 1 of the respective cartridges P, the fourdrum coupling members 27 are arranged at the same intervals in the horizontal direction. Further, as the drive output portion on the apparatus main body side, for transmitting the drive force to thedevelopment rollers 40 of the respective cartridges P, the fourdeveloper coupling members 26 are arranged at given intervals in a horizontal direction. - The above-mentioned
drum coupling members 27 and thedeveloper coupling members 26 transmit the driving forces from the driving source (not shown) to the cartridges P. Thedrum coupling members 27 and thedeveloper coupling members 26 are in retreated states within the left side wall in the state in which thedoor 10 is open, and enter the cartridge P side in association with thedoor 10 closing operation. - (Pullout Member)
- The pullout member (cartridge supporting member, pullout unit) 13 is described in detail with reference to
FIG. 10A andFIG. 10B .FIG. 10A is a perspective view of thepullout member 13, and the driving side (left side) thereof is viewed obliquely from the above, andFIG. 10B is a perspective view of thepullout member 13, and the non-driving side (right side) is viewed obliquely from the above. - The
pullout member 13 is a frame type member, and at the four corner portions thereof, the guidedportions 13 a to 13 d, which are guided by being engaged with theguide groove members main body 100A, are provided. A guided portion (first guided portion) 13 a and a guided portion (third guided portion) 13 c are guided by being engaged with the right side guide groove portion (first main body side support member) 14R. Besides, the guided portion (second guided portion) 13 b and the guided portion (fourth guided portion) 13 d are guided by being engaged with the left side guide groove portion (second main body side support member) 14L. Theguide groove portions main body 100A so as to oppose to each other. - The guided
portions 13 a (first guided portion) and 13 b (second guided portion), which are provided upstream side in the pullout direction D2, have a shape extending in the pullout direction so that thepullout member 13 does not tilt with respect to the apparatusmain body 100A at the pullout position B. In addition, the guidedportions guide groove portions side guide members FIG. 10A andFIG. 10B , the guidedportion member 13 s, respectively. The guidedmember 13 s is formed in a width direction for an overall width of the pullout member 13 (a direction orthogonal to the pullout direction D2), and is further projected from a mounting potion (support portion) 13 f, which is positioned most upstream with respect to the pullout direction D2. - As described above, this embodiment includes the guide groove portion (first main body side support member) 14R and the guide portion (second main body side support member) 14L, which are provided to the apparatus
main body 100A so as to oppose to each other, for movably supporting thepullout member 13. Further, thepullout member 13 includes the guidedmember 13 s, which is provided most upstream of the pullout direction D2, and projecting from the entire width in the direction orthogonal to the pullout direction D2 and toward the upstream side in the pullout direction D2. Then, in the direction orthogonal to the pullout direction D2, thepullout member 13 includes the guided portion (first guided portion) 13 a on one end side of the guidedmember 13 s, and the guided portion (second guided portion) 13 b on the other end side. Then, theguide groove 14R movably supports thepullout member 13 while supporting the guidedportion 13 a, and further, theguide groove portion 14L movably supports thepullout member 13 while supporting the guidedportion 13 b. Further, the guidedportions member 13 s, respectively, as a unit. Therefore, strength (rigidity) of the guidedportions member 13 s is a flat plate having a substantially rectangle shape when being viewed from the above and is made of a metal, and the guidedportions member 13 s. Therefore, the guidedportions portions guide groove portions member 13 s are not particularly limited to the ones described above, but with the above-mentioned material and shape, it is possible to obtain the above-mentioned effects more preferably. - Note that, in this embodiment, a
cartridge support portion 13 f, which is positioned most upstream, is a portion for supporting the cartridge Pk which is heaviest compared to the other cartridges. By configuring the guidedportions portions portion 13 f for mounting the cartridge Pk may be enhanced. Accordingly, downward tilting of thepullout member 13 positioned at the pullout position B may be reduced. - Further, the guided
portion 13 c (third guided portion) and 13 d (fourth guided portion) are a circular column shape (projecting portions), and are similarly in a shape of projecting outwardly in a horizontal direction and in a direction orthogonal to the pullout direction D2. - As described above, the
pullout member 13 includes, at one end side thereof, at the downstream side of the pullout direction D2, and the orthogonal direction to the pullout direction D2, the guided portion (third guided portion) 13 c projecting toward the orthogonal direction. Further, thepullout member 13 includes, at the other end side thereof, the guided portion (fourth guided portion) 13 d projecting toward the orthogonal direction. Then, theguide groove 14R movably supports thepullout member 13, while supporting the guidedportion 13 c, or, theguide groove portion 14L movable supports thepullout member 13, while supporting the guidedportion 13 d. - Accordingly, in this embodiment, the guided
portions portion 13 s having a structure described above. Then, contrary to this, the guidedportions - Further, at the front surface of the front frame of the
pullout member 13, there is provided ahandle portion 28 for manipulating thepullout member 13 by the user. - To the
pullout member 13, the four mountingportions 13 f for mounting the cartridges P described later, are provided in a line in the front-rear direction. Between the respective mountingportions 13 f, there are providedpartitioning plates 13 g serving as guides (marks) for mounting the cartridges P. Below the respective mountingportions 13 f, openingportions 13 e are provided. Through the openingportion 13 e, thedrums 1 provided to the cartridges P are brought into contact with thebelt 11. - At the drive side ends of the respective mounting
portions 13 f, guideportions pullout member 13. Similarly, at the non-drive side ends of the respective mountingportions 13 f, too, guideportions pullout member 13. - Below the
guide portions portions 13h j 1 for positioning the cartridges P with respect to thepullout member 13. - Further, on the drive side of the
pullout member 13, there are provided openingportions 131 for allowing the above-mentioneddrum coupling members 27 to enter, and openingportions 13 m for allowing thedeveloper coupling members 26 to enter. Thecoupling members portions 13 m and the openingportions 131 in association with an operation for closing thedoor 10. After that, thecoupling members - As described above, the
pullout member 13 moves inside the apparatusmain body 100A by moving thepullout member 13 in the direction indicated by the arrow D1 while engaging the guidedportions 13 a to 13 d provided to thepullout member 13 with theguide groove portions pullout member 13 is movable in the same direction as the above-mentioned one direction (along the directions indicated by the arrows D1 and D2) in which the cartridges P are arranged. Specifically, thepullout member 13 is movable in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the cartridges P, which are supported by thepullout member 13. - (Cartridge)
- With regard to the cartridges to be mounted (supported) on the
pullout member 13, a description will be provided with reference toFIGS. 11 to 13 .FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cartridge P, and the description will be provided while taking as a representative a black cartridge Pk as an example. With regard to the other color cartridges Py, Pm, and Pc, the structures thereof are the same, except that the amounts and colors of the contained developers are different with each other.FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the drive side of the cartridge Pk, which is viewed obliquely from the above.FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the non-drive side of the cartridge Pk, which is viewed obliquely from the above. - The cartridge Pk is constructed by integrating the
photosensitive unit 8 and the developingunit 4 k. Thephotosensitive unit 8 includes thedrum 1, the chargingroller 2, the cleaning means 6, and a removeddeveloper containing portion 30 removed by the cleaning means 6. Besides, the developingunit 4 k includes adevelopment roller 40, adeveloper supply roller 43, a developingblade 44, and a developer containing portion 1 k for containing the developer Tk to be used for image formation. - The
drum 1, thedevelopment roller 40, and thedeveloper supply roller 43 are rotatingly driven in directions indicated by the dotted arrows, respectively. The chargingroller 2 is rotated in association with the rotation of thedrum 1. To the chargingroller 2, a predetermined charging bias is applied. A predetermined developing bias is applied to thedevelopment roller 40. - The developer Tk within the
developer containing portion 41 k is fed into thedeveloper supply roller 43. Then, with the developingblade 44, which is brought into pressure contact with an outer periphery of thedeveloper supply roller 43 and thedevelopment roller 40, the developer Tk is applied to the outer periphery of thedevelopment roller 40. Also, to the developer Tk, an electric field having a predetermined polarity is applied by the developingblade 44. Then, from the apparatusmain body 100A side, a predetermined developing bias is applied to thedevelopment roller 40. With this operation, an electrostatic latent image formed on thedrum 1 is developed as the developer image. The developer image formed on thedrum 1 is transferred onto the recording medium S, and thereafter, the developer remaining on the drum surface is removed with the cleaning means 6 to be received within the removeddeveloper containing portion 30. - If the developer Tk within the
developer containing portion 41 k is consumed, the operator replaces the cartridge Pk with new one. With this operation, the image formation may be carried out again. - At the drive side end of the cartridge Pk, the
coupling member 47 for receiving a driving force from thedrum coupling members 27 on the apparatus main body side, is rotatably provided. Besides, thecoupling member 45 for receiving a driving force from thedeveloper coupling members 26, is rotatably provided. - The
coupling member 47 is provided on the drive side end of thedrum 1. Then, the driving force received by thecoupling member 47 from the apparatusmain body 100A rotates thedrum 1. Further, the driving force received by thecoupling member 45 is transmitted to thedevelopment roller 40 and thedeveloper supply roller 43 via an intermediate gear (not shown). - The
coupling member 45 is surrounded by acylindrical rib 45 a (FIG. 12 ). Thecylindrical rib 45 a forms anengagement portion 71 a. Theengagement portion 71 a is provided to aside cover 71 fixed to outside of thedeveloper containing portion 41 k. Thecoupling member 45 is rotatable with respect to theengagement portion 71 a. Further, on an opposing side of theengagement portion 71 a, anengagement portion 70 a is provided. Theengagement portion 70 a is provided to theside cover 70 as well. Theengagement portions unit 4 k as well. - Further, to the removed
developer containing portion 30,hole portions engagement portions hole portions developer containing portion 30 are engaged with theengagement portions unit 4 k. With this structure, thephotosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4 are coupled to each other. Between thephotosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4, a spring (urging member) 9 is provided by being compressed. With this pushing force of thecompressed spring 9, thephotosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4 are urged to be rotated about the coupling portion as a center. With this structure, an abutment of thedrum 1 and thedevelopment roller 40 is secured. - The
coupling member 47 is surrounded with thecylindrical ribs 47 a (FIG. 12 ). Theribs 47 a form a guidedportion 30 c. Further, on an opposing side of the longitudinal direction thereof, a cylindrical protrusion is projected to form a guidedportion 30 d. Further, above the guidedportion 30 c, a guidedportion 30 e is provided. Similarly, above the guidedportion 30 d, a guidedportion 30 f is provided. The respective guidedportions pullout member 13, and of positioning the cartridge Pk within thepullout member 13. - In this case, the
photosensitive unit 8 may have a structure of containing at least thedrum 1. In addition, thephotosensitive unit 8 may employ a structure of containing at least one of the chargingroller 2, the drum cleaning means 6, and the removeddeveloper containing portion 30 for receiving the developer removed by the drum cleaning means 6, and thedrum 1. - (Cartridge Mounting (Supporting) of Pullout Member)
- The mounting (supporting) of the respective cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) to the
pullout member 13 is described with reference toFIGS. 14 to 17 .FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a mounting state of the cartridges P with respect to thepullout member 13, and is a perspective view of the non-drive side viewed obliquely from the above. The apparatusmain body 100A and the other components are omitted.FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the drive side viewed obliquely from the above, for illustrating a state ofFIG. 14 .FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the drive side viewed obliquely from the above, for illustrating a state in which the mounting of all the cartridges to the pullout member is completed.FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional right side view of thepullout member 13 in the state ofFIG. 16 . - The respective cartridges P are mounted to the corresponding mounting
portions 13 f provided to thepullout member 13. The user moves the cartridges P downward in a direction indicated by the arrow C2, which is a substantially gravity direction, with respect to the corresponding mountingportions 13 f of thepullout member 13 for mounting. Further, the respective cartridges P are mounted to the corresponding mountingportions 13 f of thepullout member 13 in such a state being arranged adjacently in one direction (the same as the direction indicate by the arrow D1 or D2). - The respective cartridges P are mounted so that the guided
portion 30 c and the guidedportion 30 d of the drive side end and the non-drive side end of the cartridges P correspond to theguide portions portions 13 f of thepullout member 13, respectively. Further, the mounting is carried out so that the guidedportions guides portions 13 f thorough the guides of therespective guide portions - Here, in this embodiment, to the most upstream in the pullout direction (indicated by the arrow D2) of the
pullout member 13, the black cartridge Pk containing the developer Tk of black color is mounted. Specifically, thepullout member 13 supports the cartridge Pk at the most upstream side. As illustrated inFIG. 17 , the amount of the developer Tk contained in thedeveloper containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk is relatively larger than the amounts of the developers Ty, Tm, Tc contained in thedeveloper containing portions respective color cartridges - Here, in this embodiment, parts contained in the respective cartridges P (for example,
drum 1, chargingroller 2, cleaning means 6,development roller 40,developer supply roller 43, a frame, etc.) are common. Besides, weights per unit volume of the developers are substantially the same, even if the colors of the developers are different. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the black cartridge Pk which contains the relatively larger amount of the developer than the other cartridges is heaviest compared to the other cartridges. - (Tilt Prevention of Pullout Member)
- As described above, to the most upstream of the pullout direction (indicated by the arrow D2) of the
pullout member 13, the black cartridge Pk containing the developer of black color is mounted. In addition, the weight of the developer contained in thedeveloper containing portion 41 k of the black cartridge Pk is heavier than the weights of the developers contained in thedeveloper containing portions - As illustrated in
FIG. 18 , there is assumed a case in which the amounts of the developers contained in all the cartridges Pk, Py, Pm, Pc are the same, and the parts are common, whereby the weights of the respective cartridges P are equal. In this case, the center of gravity G1 of thepullout member 13 at the pullout position B locates at a position P1 which being substantially a center of thepullout member 13. - Contrary to this, according to this embodiment, the center of gravity G2 of the
pullout member 13 may be shifted to a position P2, which is upstream than a position P1 at which the center of gravity G1 locates, in the pullout direction D2. - This is because the weight of the black cartridge Pk, which is positioned most upstream of the pullout direction, is heavier than the weight of each of the other cartridges. In other words, the center of gravity G2 may be shifted closer to the apparatus
main body 100A. With this structure, the moment of thepullout member 13, which leads to tilting may be reduced. - According to this embodiment, the
pullout member 13 has a structure in which its weight is supported by theguide grooves portions FIG. 18 . In other words, thepullout member 13 is a cantilever state with the guidedportions portions pullout member 13 does not tilt with respect to theguide grooves pullout member 13 and its containers (cartridge P) generate a moment M2 about a supportingportion 100 c, at which the apparatusmain body 100 is installed, as a fulcrum and having the center of gravity G2 as an action point. The moment M2 becomes smaller as a distance L2 from thefulcrum 100 c becomes shorter. Therefore, as described above, the moment causing thepullout member 13 to tilt may be reduced by the center of gravity G2 than the center of gravity G1. - Here, as an example of the supporting
portion 100 c, a leg portion, as illustrated inFIG. 18 , extending downwardly in a vertical direction is employed. However, if a bottom surface of the apparatusmain body 100A has a flat surface shape, and an overall bottom surface is used as an installation surface, a portion in the bottom surface, which is nearest to thepullout member 13, becomes a supporting portion. - As described above, in this embodiment, the weight of the cartridge Pk, which is positioned most upstream of the
pullout member 13 in the pullout direction, is made heavier than the weight of each of the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc. With this structure, there was realized a structure in which thepullout member 13 is hardly tilted downwardly (weight direction) when thepullout member 13 is pulled out to the pullout position. - Further, when enhancing the rigidity of the apparatus main body in order to prevent the
pullout member 13 from tilting down due to the gravitational force at the pullout position B, the degree thereof may be reduced. Thus, it is possible to reduce necessities of, in order to enhance the rigidity, enlarging sizes of the members within the apparatusmain body 100A, employing more expensive member capable of enhancing the rigidity, or of adding the number of members for securing the rigidity. Specifically, when designing the apparatusmain body 100A, the moment at the pullout position is calculated, presuming that the weight of the cartridges P to be mounted inside thepullout member 13 is heaviest, namely, presuming a case being a brand-new state. On the basis of the moment, places for supporting the pullout member 13 (for example,guide members pullout member 13 may be made smaller. Thus, as described above, such necessities as reinforcing the apparatusmain body 100A, or enhancing the rigidity of the apparatusmain body 100A may be reduced. As a result, downsizing and cost reduction of the apparatusmain body 100A may be realized. - (Mounting and Detaching of Black Cartridge Pk)
- As illustrated in
FIG. 6 ,FIG. 7 ,FIG. 8 , andFIG. 18 , the cartridge Pk is in a state being positioned within the apparatusmain body 100A at the pullout position B of thepullout member 13. In other words, in the pullout position B of thepullout member 13, the cartridge Pk is positioned at an inner side of the apparatus main body than the supportingportion 100 c of the apparatusmain body 100A. On the other hand, thetop opening portion 100 b is provided above the black cartridge Pk of the apparatusmain body 100A so that the black cartridge Pk may be mounted and detached through theopening portion 100 b. In other words, the cartridge Pk may be removed upwardly from theopening portion 100 b in a state being positioned within the apparatusmain body 100A. - Here, the upward direction includes not only a vertical upward direction, but also includes the removal obliquely from the above. Besides, the
opening portion 100 b is a space, which is provided above the cartridge Pk, and indicates a space, which is the inner side than the supportingportion 100 c within the apparatusmain body 100A. In other words, only required is a structure in which there is no space that blocks the mounting and detaching of the cartridge Pk upwardly, in a state in which the cartridge Pk is positioned within the apparatusmain body 100A. - As described above, there is employed a structure in which the cartridge Pk may be mounted and detached without pulling-out the
pullout member 13 very much. Consequently, the moment to be generated to thepullout member 13 may be made smaller, whereby thepullout member 13 is hardly tilted. - Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that, in this embodiment, a description will be provided of the structure and operation, which are different from the first embodiment described above, and the members having the same structure and function are designated by the same reference symbols, and the previous description in the first embodiment is invoked.
- Description will be provided of points in which the second embodiment largely differs from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a description will be provided of a system in which, among the respective cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc), the developer containing capacities of the developer containing portions 41 (41 k, 41 y, 41 m, 41 c) containing the developers T (Tk, Ty, Tm, Tc) are all the same. In the second embodiment, a description will be provided of an example in which only the
developer containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk at the most upstream of the pullout direction of thepullout member 13 has a shape which differs from thedeveloper containing portions -
FIG. 19 illustrates thepullout member 13 at the pullout position B, and the cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) mounted therein. The respective cartridges P contain the developers of the respective colors within the developer containing portions 41 (41 k, 41 y, 41 m, 41 c). - The cartridge Pk is mounted most upstream in the pullout direction (indicated by the arrow D2) of the
pullout member 13. In addition, the weight of the developer, which is contained in thedeveloper containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk, is heavier compared to the weight of the developer, which is contained in each of thedeveloper containing portions - Accordingly, similar to the first embodiment, there was realized a structure in which the
pullout member 13 is hardly tilted downwardly when thepullout member 13 is pulled-out to the pullout position B. - Besides, the shape of the
developer containing portion 41 k is different from the shapes of thedeveloper containing portions FIG. 19 , thedeveloper containing portion 41 k extends (projects) vertically upwardly (orthogonal direction to pullout direction) than thedeveloper containing portions developer containing portion 41 k may contain therein the more developer. In other words, the amount of the developer to be contained in the inside of each of thedeveloper containing portions developer containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk positioned at the most upstream has a shape which is orthogonal to the pullout direction D2 and projects more upwardly than the each of thedeveloper containing portions - Like this, the each of the
developer containing portions developer containing portion 41 k. With this structure, the developer containing portions are free from making uselessly larger, thereby being capable of reducing costs. In addition, thedeveloper containing portions developer containing portions pullout member 13 tends to tilt downward (in the gravity direction) may be reduced when thepullout member 13 is pulled-out to the pullout position B. - Next, a description will be provided of a third embodiment. Note that, in this embodiment, a description will be provided of the structure and operation, which are different from the first and second embodiments described above, and the members having the same structure and function are designated by the same reference symbols, and the previous descriptions in the first and second embodiments are invoked.
- Description will be provided of points in which the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a description will be provided of an example in which the
developer containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk, which is supported (mounted) most upstream of the pullout direction of thepullout member 13, is extended vertically upwardly. In the third embodiment, a description will be provided of an example in which thedeveloper containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk, which is supported most upstream in the pullout direction of thepullout member 13, is extended in a horizontal direction (a direction parallel to the pullout direction). -
FIG. 20 illustrates thepullout member 13 at the pullout position B, and the cartridges P (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) mounted therein. The respective cartridges P contain the developers of the respective colors within the developer containing portions 41 (41 k, 41 y, 41 m, 41 c). - The black cartridge Pk containing the developer of black color is mounted most upstream in the pullout direction (indicated by the arrow D2) of the
pullout member 13. In addition, the weight of the developer, which is contained in thedeveloper containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk, is heavier compared to the weight of the developer, which is contained in each of thedeveloper containing portions developer containing portion 41 k of the cartridge Pk has a larger shape than thedeveloper containing portions - Accordingly, similar to the first and second embodiments, there was realized a structure in which the
pullout member 13 is hardly tilted downwardly when thepullout member 13 is pulled-out to the pullout position B. - Similar to the second embodiment, the shape of the
developer containing portion 41 k is different from the shapes of thedeveloper containing portions FIG. 20 , thedeveloper containing portion 41 k extends horizontally (in the direction in which the cartridges are adjacently disposed) than thedeveloper containing portions developer containing portion 41 k may contain therein the more developer than thedeveloper containing portions - Similar to the second embodiment, only the
developer containing portion 41 k is made to have a different shape with thedeveloper containing portions developer containing portions developer containing portions developer containing portions pullout member 13 tends to tilt downward may be reduced when thepullout member 13 is pulled-out to the pullout position B. - Further to the second embodiment, in the third embodiment, the
developer containing portion 41 k is extended in a direction parallel to the pullout direction D2. In the second embodiment, as thedeveloper containing portion 41 k extends vertically and upwardly, a useless space (dead space) exists vertically above the other cartridges Py, Pm, and Pc. Contrary to this, in the third embodiment, there is no such a space. Consequently, in the third embodiment, the space of the vertical direction may be effectively used. - In the above-mentioned respective embodiments, the heaviest cartridge Pk contains the much developer than the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc. However, the present invention is not limited to the structure described above. For example, the parts contained in the heaviest cartridge P may be heavier than the parts contained in the other cartridges.
- [Others]
- The number of the plurality of cartridges, which are arranged adjacently in one direction and supported by the
pullout member 13 is not limited to four of the embodiments. The present invention may be adopted to a case in which the number of the cartridges is set to two or three, or even in a case of five or more. - The contact and separation between the
drum 1 and thebelt 11 in the above-mentioned embodiments may be carried out with a system in which thepullout member 13 supporting the plurality of cartridges is moved with respect to thebelt unit 5. Otherwise, there may employ a system in which both thebelt unit 5 and thepullout member 13 are moved. - Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the
belt unit 5 is used as an intermediate transfer belt unit. In addition thereto, the present invention may be adopted to a structure of the image forming apparatus in which the developer image of the respective colors, which is superimposingly transferred with respect to the intermediate transfer belt, is retransferred (secondary transfer) onto the recording medium S. - Further, in the above-mentioned respective embodiments, a description will be provided of a case, as an example, in which the parts of the respective cartridges P are commonly used, and the weights of the cartridges P are made differ by using the difference of the developer amount. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may also be adopted to a case in which the developer amounts of the respective cartridges P are the same, but the weights of the parts of the respective cartridges P differ. In addition, the present invention may also be adopted a case in which weights per unit volume of the developers differ. In other words, according to the present invention, there may take a structure in which the heaviest cartridge is supported most upstream of the pullout direction of the cartridge supporting member (pullout member 13). According to the present invention, it is possible to realize the above-mentioned effects.
- Here, the first embodiment is invoked to describe this embodiment with reference to
FIG. 1 toFIG. 17 . - This embodiment is similar to the first to third embodiments in a point that the heaviest cartridge Pk is supported most upstream in the pullout direction D2. However, in this embodiment, the parts contained in the cartridge Pk are heavier than the parts contained in the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc. Note that, the developer amount contained in the cartridge Pk is the same as the developer amount contained in the each of the other cartridges. Accordingly, the cartridge Pk is heavier than the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc. The above-mentioned parts include at least one or a combination of the plurality of parts selected from the electrophotographic
photosensitive drum 1, the chargingroller 2, thecleaning blade 6, thedevelopment roller 40, thedeveloper supply roller 43, and the cartridge frame 300 (for example,FIG. 11 ), which are contained in the above-mentioned cartridge. Then, the total weight of the cartridge Pk is heavier than the total weight of the each of the other cartridges Py, Pm, Pc. Even in this embodiment, it is possible to realize the above-mentioned effects. - While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
- This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-322012, filed Dec. 18, 2008 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein its entirety.
Claims (12)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2008322012A JP4334014B1 (en) | 2008-12-18 | 2008-12-18 | Color electrophotographic image forming apparatus |
JP2008-322012 | 2008-12-18 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20100158559A1 true US20100158559A1 (en) | 2010-06-24 |
US7817936B2 US7817936B2 (en) | 2010-10-19 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/370,298 Active 2029-04-23 US7817936B2 (en) | 2008-12-18 | 2009-02-12 | Color electrophotographic image forming apparatus |
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US (1) | US7817936B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4334014B1 (en) |
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US20110033201A1 (en) * | 2009-08-04 | 2011-02-10 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus and cartridge |
US8929772B2 (en) | 2008-09-29 | 2015-01-06 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Electrophotographic image forming apparatus |
US9285755B2 (en) | 2012-09-28 | 2016-03-15 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus having process unit including photosensitive member and member for removing substances from photosensitive member |
US9429900B2 (en) | 2011-05-17 | 2016-08-30 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Cartridge supporting member having different moving direction guide portions |
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JP4995211B2 (en) * | 2008-09-29 | 2012-08-08 | キヤノン株式会社 | Electrophotographic image forming apparatus |
JP5489883B2 (en) * | 2009-09-08 | 2014-05-14 | キヤノン株式会社 | cartridge |
JP5825770B2 (en) * | 2009-12-24 | 2015-12-02 | キヤノン株式会社 | Unit and electrophotographic image forming apparatus |
JP5683281B2 (en) | 2010-02-02 | 2015-03-11 | キヤノン株式会社 | Drum unit |
JP5338820B2 (en) * | 2011-01-14 | 2013-11-13 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
JP6429612B2 (en) * | 2014-12-10 | 2018-11-28 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
JP6365378B2 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2018-08-01 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
JP6428445B2 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2018-11-28 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
JP6590534B2 (en) | 2015-05-29 | 2019-10-16 | キヤノン株式会社 | Process cartridge and image forming apparatus |
JP6821925B2 (en) * | 2016-03-04 | 2021-01-27 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming device |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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JP4334014B1 (en) | 2009-09-16 |
JP2010145681A (en) | 2010-07-01 |
US7817936B2 (en) | 2010-10-19 |
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